With a new defensive scheme in place, Carolina Panthers lineman-turned-linebacker Yetur Gross-Matos entered his fourth NFL season needing to address quite a few unknowns. And not too long after some of those were pleasantly answered, a new question has emerged.
Gross-Matos, who sustained what head coach Frank Reich described as a “pretty significant” hamstring injury, was placed on injured reserve earlier this week. So, defensive coordinator was asked how he’ll be dealing with that loss.
“We’re always evaulatin’ the personnel each week,” he said. “We’re always trying to find the best combinations of guys to get out there and play. Obviously, with Yetur, big hit. But again, opportunity for other people and we’ll see who steps up.”
Gross-Matos had taken advantage of his new opportunity this year. In addition to holding up as one of the unit’s best run defenders, the former second-round pick has already racked up 2.5 sacks—one off his career-high.
But with Gross-Matos now down, who exactly will be stepping up? Joe Person of The Athletic asked Evero precisely who will be taking those reps.
“We’ll keep that to ourselves for now,” he replied.
He was then asked who was “in the mix.”
“All the outside backers.”
Well, that narrows it down.
In addition to Gross-Matos, the Panthers will also be without safety Jeremy Chinn—who was placed on IR with his quadriceps injury.
