CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — As of Monday, no NFL team has allowed more points this season than the Carolina Panthers.

And things may get worse before they get better.

Shaq Thompson will do it Miss the rest of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon and fellow linebacker Josey Jewell will miss at least a few games with a hamstring/groin injury, creating more holes for a unit that can’t afford to lose any more key players.

Both were injured Sunday’s 34-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

That means Claudin Cherelus and Trevin Wallace, who have six total tackles in their careers, will both start Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

Thompson’s injury is just the latest blow to a reeling defense.

The Panthers lost top defensive lineman Derrick Brown to a knee injury in Week 1. This came after Carolina traded top edge rusher Brian Burns and cornerback Donte Jackson and allowed linebacker Frankie Luvu to leave in free agency in the offseason.

“We’re going to look at our players as the faces change and we’re going to be more of this and that depending on what our guys can do,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said of dealing with the injuries. “So that’s the challenge going forward: How can we put our guys in the best position to be successful?”

Carolina has allowed 32.3 points per game this season, including 15 touchdowns in four games.

While some of the issues on that side of the ball stem from the offense’s inability to stay on the field – or score points – while Bryce Young was playing quarterback, that doesn’t excuse the poor home performance in Week 4 against the Bengals.

Joe Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns and Chase Brown led a rushing attack that racked up 130 yards on the ground and scored twice on the ground in the second half alone.

At one point, the Bengals scored touchdowns on four straight possessions.

Tackling was a big problem, including three failed attempts to bring down Ja’Marr Chase on a 63-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

“Those basics, right?” Canales said. “When we unite and attack, we make them work and make the opposing offense have to work for every point they score. They had a couple of big attacks on us and that made the difference in the game.”

The Panthers allow 149 yards rushing per game.

In the final five minutes, Cincinnati was able to run the ball on nine consecutive plays, setting up Evan McPherson’s game-winning field goal with 1:14 left.

What works

The running game. The Panthers are getting a solid performance from Chuba Hubbard, who posted back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. Hubbard averaged 5.8 yards per carry over the last three games, proving he can be an all-down back for Carolina. Hubbard is holding over Miles Sanders for the starting position and is very motivated knowing that rookie second-round draft pick Jonathan Brooks will soon be coming off injured reserve.

What needs help

The Panthers have been slightly better on third downs with Andy Dalton under center, but still have a long way to go. Carolina went a combined 2 of 22 on third-down conversions, with Young starting the first two games; They are 12 of 36 under Dalton.

Stock up

WR Xavier Legette. The Panthers’ first-round draft pick showed flashes Sunday when starter Adam Thielen was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Legette was targeted 10 times, had six catches for 66 yards and had his first touchdown. He celebrates by pretending to ride a horse.

However, there is still room for improvement as Legette had two drops.

“He left a few balls on the ground,” Canales said. “This is a step he has to take, the most important thing is to secure the catch and be special afterwards. (It was) a cool spark to see him play as quickly as he did and (it) gives us a chance to continue to use him in different ways.”

Inventory reduced

The tight ends. The Panthers are getting almost no production from their tight end position, as Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders combined for just 11 receptions for 80 yards this season. Help is on the way: Ian Thomas, who is considered the team’s best pass catcher at the position and is expected to return from injured reserve this week.

Injuries

Along with Thomas, the Panthers are expected to get cornerback Dane Jackson and defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy back to practice this week after both missed the first four games on injured reserve. However, Canales said the Panthers aren’t ready to open the practice window for RB Jonathan Brooks and LB DJ Wonnum just yet.

Key numbers

4 – Where Shaq Thompson sits on the team’s career tackles list with 741, behind only Luke Kuechly (1,092), Thomas Davis (1,077) and Mike Minter (771).

Next Steps

The Panthers return to the road this Sunday to take on the Bears, a team full of young talent acquired in the young trade. Carolina gave the Bears four draft picks and wide receiver DJ Moore moved up eight spots to take Young No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

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