Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro (knee) is listed as questionable to play in Week 12 on Sunday versus the Kansas City Chiefs with a left-knee injury that he suffered in Germany during the overtime celebration in the win over the New York Giants in Week 10, according to head coach Dave Canales. However, Canales also said Pineiro had two good practices this week coming out of the bye and is expected to play this weekend. The 29-year-old probably won't be 100 percent on Sunday, though, and fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him against one of the better defenses in the league in KC. Carolina's inconsistent offense has only provided Pineiro with 13 field-goal attempts (31st in the NFL) in 2024 and 17 extra-point opportunities (tied for 21st). Continue to avoid Pineiro as a fantasy kicker.

After missing practice all week, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sanders said he's dealing with a severely sprained ankle that he suffered in the Week 10 loss to the New York Giants in Germany, which means he may not be ready to return for Week 13 to face the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His fantasy stock is taking another hit with rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) fully expected to make his NFL debut this weekend against the Chiefs after recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered in 2023 in his final collegiate season at Texas. Brooks will serve as the change-of-pace back behind starter Chuba Hubbard on Sunday and most likely for the rest of the 2024 season, relegating Sanders to the RB3 role whenever he recovers from his ankle injury.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) and tight end Tommy Tremble (back) will play this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Mike Kaye of The Observer. Thielen has been on the injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tremble has been held out of action for the past two weeks. Fantasy managers should expect Thielen to operate as a full-time option in a young Carolina receiving room. Tremble should be expected to split time with rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. Theilen could be worth a look as a low-end flex option in deeper formats, as the Panthers will likely be trailing against the Chiefs, while Tremble should be left out of all lineups given his uncertain playing time.UPDATE: Thielen is listed as questionable but is expected to play on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is set to make his NFL debut this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to David Newton of ESPN. The second-round selection in this year's NFL draft has been sidelined all season due to suffering a torn ACL last November during his final season at Texas. Brooks was able to log three consecutive full practice sessions this week, which suggests he may be given a solid workload in his NFL debut. However, the 21-year-old will likely split time with presumed No.1 option Chuba Hubbard during the remainder of the season, limiting each other's fantasy ceiling. For now, fantasy managers should still view Hubbard as a solid RB2, with Brooks projecting it as a low-end flex option, facing a tough Kansas City run defense.UPDATE: Brooks is listed as questionable but is expected to play on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro (knee) popped up on the Week 12 injury report after putting in a limited practice session due to a left-knee ailment. Mid-week additions to the injury report usually aren't a good sign, but it's unclear if Pineiro's knee injury is serious enough to keep him out of Sunday's contest against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Carolina doesn't have another kicker on their roster at the moment, but if they bring one in, it will be a clear sign that Pineiro won't be able to kick this weekend. In a weak Panthers offense, Pineiro is the No. 27-ranked kicker in terms of overall fantasy points, so he shouldn't have been in any fantasy lineups heading into this week's matchup against a tough Chiefs defense. Fantasy managers should continue to ignore Carolina's kicking situation.