An extremely leaky run defense is a huge reason why the Carolina Panthers are giving up 27.7 points per game, but the team has actually done a good job of limiting quarterbacks through the air. A shorthanded secondary threatens to change that trend. Rookie cornerback Will Lee III sustained a hamstring injury while trying to thwart a 53-yard Christian Watson reception with more than nine minutes remaining in the second quarter of Thursday's road game versus the Green Bay Packers. He will not return, per The Athletic's Joe Person.

Watson suffered a chest injury on the same play and was taken to the hospital for precautionary scans and further evaluation. Lee was called for defensive pass interference, but the Packers obviously declined.

Jordan Love dropped a moon ball in the bucket for Christian Watson, but Watson and #Panthers CB Will Lee were down and injured after the play.

Both players are now in the locker room.

(📽️ @NFLonPrime) https://t.co/txSDGTN8PY pic.twitter.com/a78ATh8Oi2

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 30, 2026

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