Krys Barnes: Everything you need to know

Barnes (back) is active for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports. With Claudin Cherelus (calf) inactive for Saturday's divisional tilt, Barnes and Bam Martin-Scott will likely be the ones to fill his role at inside linebacker next to Christian Rozeboom. Martin-Scott will likely get the initial reps, but Barnes may see his first defensive snaps since Week 13 as Saturday's game develops.

Barnes (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers. Despite Barnes' questionable designation, he practiced in full throughout the week, suggesting he's trending toward playing in Saturday's regular-season finale. The UCLA product has tallied 17 total tackles across six appearances for the Panthers this season. If active for the Week 18 contest, expect Barnes to contribute primarily on special teams while playing a depth role in Carolina's linebacker corps.

The Panthers are signing Barnes from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports. Barnes was elevated for Monday's loss to the 49ers with Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) and Trevin Wallace (shoulder) both inactive, and he proved productive in the spot start, playing 99 percent of defensive snaps and recording 10 tackles (three solo). If Rozeboom and Wallace both remain sidelined Sunday versus the Chargers, Barnes will represent a pivot option for fantasy managers in IDP formats.