Four takeaways from Friday, including Dave Canales on Jaelan Phillips’ return, and more
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CHARLOTTE — Panthers head coach Dave Canales sounded positive about the progress of outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, and he’s very confident that the recent changes on defense won’t be a big deal for him if he’s able to play this week.
Phillips has missed the last three weeks after reaggravating a hamstring strain, and he’s listed as questionable on the injury report after practicing fully on Friday.
“He looks great,” Canales said. “He had a great week of practice. He feels confident. He’s excited about getting back out there.”
When he gets back, he’ll be operating in a different environment than the one he left.
After changing defensive coordinators after the Green Bay game, interim Todd Wash has used a more attacking front, with 4-3 influences, even though it’s not a total transition.
Canales said that part wasn’t going to be a big deal for Phillips.
“It’s no different, you know, when we’re in four-down nickel, our OLBs are defensive ends in that regard,” he said. “So that’s a lot of carryover there. When we’re in base defense, the guys are going to be asked to basically fill the same type of roles.
“He’s had experience in multiple schemes, so the changes aren’t so drastic, you know, for the OLBs.”
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