The Carolina Panthers return to prime time tonight, hosting the Detroit Lions in the first Sunday Night Football game at Bank of America Stadium since the 2015 season. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m., with the game televised on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
UPDATED: Game-day inactives have been added below. Carolina will be thin at wide receiver after Jalen Coker was ruled out and Xavier Legette already placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.
🔄 Last Updated: October 4, 2026 7:08 pm
🏈 Panthers vs. Lions game information
Matchup: Detroit Lions (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Date: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
TV: NBC, Peacock, NFL+
Broadcast crew: Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Melissa Stark (sideline)
Weather forecast: Cloudy skies, cooler temperatures in the 60s, and a light chance of spotty rain or drizzle during the game
📻 How to listen to the Carolina Panthers
Panthers Radio: WRFX 99.7 The FOX in Charlotte and affiliates across the Panthers Radio Network
Online Audio: Listen to Panthers Radio online
📊 Lions at Panthers betting odds
Spread: Detroit Lions -3.5
Over/Under Total: 50.5 points
Moneyline: Detroit Lions -193 | Carolina Panthers +165
Lines courtesy FanDuel Sportsbook, posted Sunday at 11:15 a.m. All lines are subject to change.
👉 Want a deeper look at tonight’s matchup? Visit our Lions-Panthers Game Center for team stats, matchup notes and more.
🏥 Panthers-Lions Injury Report and Game-Day Inactives
Official game-day inactives have been announced for both teams as of 7 p.m. Sunday:
Carolina Panthers Inactives
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
QB Haynes King (emergency third QB)
WR Jalen Coker
G Damien Lewis
OT Albert Reese
DT Cam Jackson
The Panthers will be without wide receiver Jalen Coker, who was listed as questionable Friday with a quadriceps injury. Carolina elevated wide receiver Ja’seem Reed from the practice squad Saturday to provide additional depth at the position.
With Xavier Legette already ruled out and placed on injured reserve, Carolina enters Sunday night’s game thin at wide receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan.
Guard Damien Lewis, who had already been ruled out Friday with an elbow injury, is also inactive. Corey Bullock is expected to work in his place.
Detroit Lions Inactives
- OT Ben Bartch
- TE Tyler Conklin
- S Bishop Fitzgerald
- EDGE Ahmed Hassanein
- LB Devin White
- DL Mekhi Wingo
The Lions had already ruled out offensive tackle Ben Bartch (foot) after he did not practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.
Cornerback D.J. Reed (rib) was questionable after being limited in practice throughout the week but is not on the inactives list. Defensive end D.J. Wonnum (back) returned to full participation Thursday and Friday. Wonnum did not practice Wednesday..
2026 Season Results
Carolina Panthers (1-2)
Week 1: Bears 59, Panthers 37
Week 2: Panthers 34, Falcons 3
Week 3: Browns 21, Panthers 18
Detroit Lions (2-1)
Week 1: Lions 31, Saints 30
Week 2: Bills 41, Lions 31
Week 3: Lions 31, Jets 24
🏈 Follow the Panthers all season: Visit our Carolina Panthers Football Hub for the complete 2026 schedule, scores, team information, season snapshot and the latest NC Football News coverage.
