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Panthers notebook: D’Onta Foreman misses practice, veteran DE returns to practice

Carolina Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman (33) runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

With rain drizzling down on the practice field outside of Bank of America Stadium, Carolina Panthers running back D’Onta Foreman emerged from the team’s practice bubble in a sweater and sweatpants. The team’s leading rusher was sidelined Wednesday with a foot injury.

The Panthers are preparing for a Week 14 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, and Foreman — if he’s healthy enough to play — will be a major part of their plan to pull off the first away win of the season.

“Not really concerned about him,” interim head coach Steve Wilks said after practice. “He did have that foot — had the opportunity to heal up during the bye week — and again, we’ll see exactly where he is tomorrow.”

The Seahawks rank 29th against the run this season. Seattle’s defense is surrendering around 4.9 yards per carry.

Since Week 7, Foreman has averaged 4.7 yards per carry and averaged around 88 yards per game. Foreman’s status could make a major difference at Lumen Field.

With Foreman nursing an injury, the Panthers will need to prepare — for now — with Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear and practice-squad running back Spencer Brown in the backfield. Wilks said he wasn’t sure if Foreman would practice on Thursday.

Joining Foreman on the sideline was linebacker Cory Littleton (ankle). Littleton missed the Week 12 win over the Denver Broncos and was seen wearing a similar attire to Foreman on the field.

Also, while defensive end Brian Burns (knee), left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (knee) and safety Xavier Woods (knee) practiced to start the week, they were all listed as limited participants coming off the bye.

Tight end Giovanni Ricci (neck), defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (calf) and safety Myles Hartsfield (ankle) were also listed as limited participants.

Anderson returns to practice after long layoff

Veteran defensive end Henry Anderson returned to practice for the first time since Week 7 on Wednesday.

Anderson, who was placed on the non-football illness list ahead of the 21-3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had his status changed to “designated to return” on the inactive list.

In locker room on Wednesday, Anderson, 31, revealed he suffered a minor stroke on the Saturday before the Week 7 win.

Anderson said he suffered from random numbness, which raised his concern at the time.

“I’m all good,” Anderson said. “It was minor — and it got resolved pretty quickly.”

Now recovered, Anderson has 21 days to practice ahead of a potential activation to the 53-man roster. If he doesn’t return during the three-week window, he will be shut down for the season. He will not receive an injury status designation until he is activated to the main roster.

“It really just depends on his progress,” Wilks said about Anderson’s status. “We cleared him today. ... He looked good moving around. He’s been doing some other things before he hit the field today, so we’ll see exactly where he is in the latter part of the week.”

After watching Anderson, 31, in practice, Wilks said he is hopeful that the veteran can return to the field on Sunday against the Seahawks. The Panthers would need to trim their roster with a corresponding move in order to fit Anderson on the depth chart.

Anderson played in the first six games of the season, contributing 12 tackles (two for loss) and a QB hit. He served in a rotation behind starters Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos. With Anderson sidelined, Marquis Haynes Sr. has emerged as the primary backup at defensive end, producing three sacks and three pass breakups in the past four games.

Anderson, who is known more for his run-stuffing ability, could help spell Gross-Matos down the stretch if he’s activated. The Panthers also have Amare Barno, a rookie sixth-round pick, on the defensive end depth chart.

Anderson, a 2015 third-round pick, was signed by the Panthers in the offseason. He previously played for the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets and New England Patriots during his eight-year career.

Quick Hits

This week, Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown was named the team’s nominee for the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The award, which was created in 1970 but renamed in 1999 after the former Chicago Bears running back, “recognizes an NFL player for his excellence on and off the field,” according to the league’s website.

While Anderson was given clearance to practice, receiver/returner Andre Roberts remains on injured reserve without a return in sight. When asked about Roberts’ status, Wilks said Wednesday that there was no update.

Panthers punter Johnny Hekker leads all players at his position in Pro Bowl fan voting as of Wednesday, according to NFL. Hekker, a four-time first-team All-Pro, is averaging 48.8 yards per punt. He’s had 29 of 61 attempts (47.5%) downed within the opponent’s 20-yard line.

The Panthers promoted veteran cornerback T.J. Carrie from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Tuesday. Carrie had been elevated in back-to-back games entering last week’s bye. He forced a fumble on special teams during the 23-10 win over the Denver Broncos, which led to a field goal for the Panthers. Carrie joined the team last month with the secondary dealing with notable injuries. He played for Wilks in Cleveland in 2019.

Following the release of former starting quarterback Baker Mayfield, the Panthers decided to add a third arm to the practice squad. After working out Reid Sinnett, Kurt Benkert and Davis Cheek on Tuesday, the Panthers chose Cheek, who had a brief stint with Carolina this summer. Ironically, Cheek was waived to make room for Mayfield in July. The Elon alum will serve as an extra quarterback behind starter Sam Darnold and backup PJ Walker.