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Is Jalen Coker out for the season? Read the latest Jalen Coker fantasy football outlook and injury update for 2025. Kyle McCarthy breaks down whether Coker should be drafted.
Injuries are never a thing you want to see, and it's especially unfortunate when they happen seemingly out of nowhere. That is essentially what happened with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker, who was placed on injured reserve a week before the season with a quadriceps injury.
It's a shame because Coker was starting to pick up legit steam after Carolina traded away Adam Thielen and, as a result, was announced as the team's starting slot receiver. Coker was turning heads all camp after having a solid rookie season as an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross.
“Jalen [Coker] has really shown to be one of the more reliable guys that we have” - Panthers head coach Dave Canales 2.5 weeks before trading Adam Thielen
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— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) August 29, 2025
There is now considerable uncertainty regarding Coker's injury situation, and his return-to-play timeline could be unclear. He still has appealing sleeper potential, but now some questions need to be answered first.
Is Jalen Coker Out for the 2025 Season?
Jalen Coker was a pleasant surprise for Carolina last season, nearly finishing with as many receiving yards as first-round pick Xavier Legette on almost half the number of targets. He will miss at least the first four games of the 2025 season, with the possibility for more depending on how he progresses.
There has been some excitement for what the Panthers' offense could look like in the second year under head coach Dave Canales. They selected Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to serve as their de facto No. 1 wide receiver and fill in the rest of the pass catchers around him. Coker, built at 6'3" and 215 pounds, emerged as a player to thrive in the slot receiver role that has been trendy throughout the league over the past few seasons.
Instead, Coker will be forced to miss valuable reps with quarterback Bryce Young over the first month. The Panthers immediately signed back Hunter Renfrow, and things could get murky as far as playing time goes if the players in front of him step up during his absence.
Jalen Coker 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook
Coker will have to reassert himself into the target totem pole, assuming he returns when first eligible in Week 5 and reclaims his regular role. By that point in the season, McMillan could have clearly established himself as the alpha in the passing game, leaving not much meat on the bone for other Carolina weapons, with how run-heavy they are also expected to be.
It's also contingent on Young continuing that step he took at the end of last season and showing us that he is capable of supporting a fantasy offense that managers want multiple pieces of. During Weeks 8-18, Young undoubtedly showed growth and a level of play that can signal a competent quarterback in the future.
But he still only averaged 210 passing yards per game on 6.6 yards per attempt while also showing some ability as a scrambler.
Canales' offenses typically have had lower play and pass volume, which limits the number of drives they will have and thus the opportunity for fantasy points. The upside just may not be as high in this Carolina offense.
Jalen Coker Expected To Have Bigger Role https://t.co/WUlwtDD8RT
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) August 27, 2025
He will undoubtedly be a name to put on watch lists on the waiver wire when his activation nears. He had an insane production profile in college, albeit against lower competition. But then also emerged as an undrafted player to perform better than the team's first-round pick. A lot of things can happen between now and Week 5 or whenever Coker returns.
For now, he's best left on the waiver wire, and that bench spot can be used to roster churn players early in the year.
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