Panthers Star Safety Returns to Practice

The Carolina Panthers had their defensive leader back when they took the field for practice on Wednesday. Safety Jeremy Chinn was spotted at today's session, indicating he'd been activated from injured reserve and is in line to potentially play against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football.

Jeremy Chinn has been designated to return from IR. He’s back on the practice field.

— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) November 8, 2022

Chinn has been unavailable since suffering a hamstring injury early in the Panthers' Week 4 26-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The hard-hitting safety had played every defensive snap of the season up until that point.

Chinn's absence has coincided with an ugly defensive collapse for the Panthers. After allowing 19.7 points per game over their first three contests, the team has allowed 28.2 points per game over the last six weeks. As the Panthers' leading tackler in 2020 and 2021, Chinn should provide some stability to a unit trying to maintain its dignity over the final half of the season.

Chinn initially joined the Panthers as their 64th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He immediately proved himself a thumping difference-maker on the Panthers defense, finishing second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting for his stellar debut season. He has totalled 244 tackles, two interceptions, and three sacks in his 35 appearances with the team.

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