Patrick Jones: Everything you need to know

Panthers GM Dan Morgan said Tuesday that Jones (back) has been fully cleared after undergoing surgery during the season, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports. Signed to a two-year, $15 million deal last offseason following a breakout 2024 campaign with the Vikings, Jones appeared in just four games during his first season with Carolina. Jones will look to return to form in 2026 after he racked up a career-high 7.0 sacks across 15 games with Minnesota two seasons ago.

Jones (back) is recovering well from his herniated disk surgery and could have returned to the field this season if the Panthers had made a deeper playoff run, Mike Kaye reports. Jones has been on injured reserve since the Panthers' Week 6 win over the Cowboys. The linebacker said he felt "like I was getting real close" to an end-of-season return. Now that the Panthers have been eliminated from Super Bowl contention, Jones will have a full offseason to work back from his back injury and be ready for the 2026 season.

Jones (back) was placed on injured reserve Saturday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports. The 27-year-old's shift to IR comes as no surprise, as head coach Dave Canales told reporters Wednesday that Jones would miss the remainder of the season due to a back injury. Jones, a first-year Panther, appeared in four games and played 161 defensive snaps prior to his injury, recording nine total tackles, including 1.0 sacks, and one pass defended. While he's sidelined for the rest of Carolina's 2025 campaign, expect rookie Nic Scourton to step in and start at outside linebacker.