Several questions came to the fore after the Carolina Panthers gave up 43 points in their loss to the previously one-win Tampa Bay Bucs.

One line of questioning:

Are there any personnel changes coming at the cornerback position?

You might not think that the Panthers’ troubles on Sunday hinged on the team’s defensive backfield. That’d be understandable. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield only threw the ball 11 total times; he only recorded 64 passing yards. And even though this defensive scheme relies heavily on its defensive backs to make plays in the run game — executing their run-fills, making open-field tackles especially on the stretch runs that Bucky Irving feasted on Sunday — the 258 rushing yards the Bucs recorded doesn’t solely fall on the cornerbacks and safeties.

But one thing you can’t deny from their Week 7 loss: This cornerback room struggled. This has been true, in fact, since starting playmakers Jaycee Horn (quad) and Mike Jackson (groin) were sent to the injured reserve after Week 3.

Much of the ire about Panthers cornerbacks has been placed on Akayleb Evans, fairness notwithstanding. The reserve CB’s stats don’t do him any favors. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound corner played 100% of the defensive snaps this past weekend. He was targeted thrice. Two of the targets yielded catches; one of those catches yielded Mayfield’s only touchdown. Evans also earned a defensive pass interference penalty.

According to Pro Football Focus, Mayfield had a 143.1 passer rating when targeting the receiver Evans was guarding — a season-worst for Evans, just above his Week 4 output against the Lions.

Canales offered his perspective on Evans on Monday.

“We put Akayleb back out there for another game,” Canales said. “And he had really tight coverage on a pass interference, I thought it was a good call. ... The scramble-play touchdown, I think he kind of lost Tez Johnson late on the scramble, Baker does a great job buying time, we got heat on him, Trevis (Gipson) is right there, and he makes a great throw.

“I thought AK was doing a great job in terms of just stepping in there in a time when we really needed him.”

Evans showed up on the injury report Monday with a triceps/knee ailment. Canales said he’s “day-to-day,” and that the Panthers will need to see “some major progression on a short week” for him to be ready to go against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football.

When asked who will play in Evans’ stead in case Evans can’t go, Canales declined to specify.

“We’re going to go day-to-day with AK, and then, we got options,” Canales said. “Malcolm (DeWalt) showed up on the practice squad; he’s a gunner. Marco Wilson’s been on our practice squad doing some good things. Corey (Thornton, also on the practice squad). We do have options. I’m glad we have these guys who have been around so we can train them, and we’ll go from there.”

What about Chau Smith-Wade?

One player’s name who wasn’t mentioned in Canales’ answer above of who will replace Evans if he can’t go on Thursday?

Chau Smith-Wade.

As Evans’ playing time has skyrocketed since the injured exits of Horn and Jackson, Smith-Wade’s playing time has remained constant. That is to say: He’s still not getting on the field with the defense. The fifth-round pick of the 2024 draft — applauded for his versatility this offseason and who made several plays in the preseason, including an interception — played exactly one defensive snap against the Bucs.

Canales commented on Smith-Wade’s playing time Monday, saying the 5-foot-11, 192-pound defensive back will “get his opportunity at some point.”

“But again, we have to take all of these things into consideration, how we’re using guys in other phases as well,” Canales said.

Canales also commented on Corey Thornton’s future with the team. Thornton has been stashed on the practice squad this year after being one of the team’s best underdogs stories of 2026 — of being an undrafted free agent to make the 53-man roster, winning the nickel corner job before suffering a season-ending leg injury.

“Corey’s doing a great job,” Canales said. “He’s doing everything we ask him to do. He does have versatility. And the thing we have to evaluate is: Who gives us the best opportunity to win outside? To be at the corner spot, exclusively, without some of that other flexibility, knowing we have other guys who are doing that role for us pretty well right now?

“But yeah, basic comment on Corey: He’s busting his butt every day. He’s ready if we need him.”

Other notes from Panthers practice

• Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips was working on the bike without a uniform during the team’s walk-through on Monday, which was open to reporters for a portion. His readiness for Thursday Night Football, as Canales told the reporters last week, remains unlikely.
• Right guard Damien Lewis also missed the Panthers’ walk-through on Monday, with a knee injury. The rest of the Panthers’ practice report: DT Bobby Brown (hand, did not participate), WR Jalen Coker (shoulder, limited), CB Akayleb Evans (triceps/knee, DNP), OL Torricelli Simpkins (ankle, DNP) and QB Bryce Young (knee, full participation).
• A trio of Panthers roster moves: The Panthers, as expected, placed right tackle Taylor Moton on the team’s injured reserve. The veteran has a fractured fibula as well as an injury to his ankle. The ankle injury will require surgery and force him to miss the rest of the season, Canales said Monday. In a corresponding move, the Panthers promoted outside linebacker Nick Hampton off the practice squad. The open practice squad has now been filled by linebacker Ja’Markis Weston.

This story was originally published October 26, 2026 at 8:18 PM with the headline "‘We got options.’ Dave Canales, Panthers have several questions at CB to answer."