The Carolina Panthers may have to navigate their upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bears without starting wide receiver DJ Chark, as reported by ESPN.com. Chark, who is currently dealing with an elbow injury, has been listed as doubtful for the highly anticipated Thursday night game at Soldier Field.

Chark's absence could pose a significant challenge for rookie quarterback Bryce Young, as the receiver is known for his deep threat abilities. He had recently scored his third touchdown of the season against the Indianapolis Colts before sustaining the injury.

In addition to Chark's uncertain status, the Panthers will also be missing two key defensive starters. Sack leader Brian Burns and cornerback CJ Henderson have been ruled out due to concussions suffered in their recent loss to the Colts. This further complicates Carolina's defensive strategy, as they are already without Yetur Gross-Matos and Justin Houston, who are both on injured reserve.

Despite the setbacks, the Panthers have some encouraging news heading into Thursday's game. Starting safeties Vonn Bell and Xavier Woods are listed as questionable, with Bell participating fully in Wednesday's practice and Woods expressing optimism about his potential return.

Outside linebacker Marquis Haynes Sr., who recently returned from injured reserve, participated fully in Wednesday's practice as well and has a chance to make an impact on the field.

Carolina's defensive coordinator, Ejiro Evero, remains focused on the team's depth and the potential of their young players, stating, "We're not going to make any excuses. We have more than what we need to play well. We've got a lot of good, young players. The coaches have done a great job of not just coaching the starters, but really pouring into the entire depth of the roster."

As the Panthers face the Bears on Thursday, they will have to navigate potential injuries and rely on their depth to maintain their competitive edge. Fans and analysts will be eagerly watching to see how the team performs against a formidable opponent with several key players on the sidelines.