Barnes (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

Despite Barnes' questionable designation, he practiced in full throughout the week, suggesting he's trending toward playing in Saturday's regular-season finale. The UCLA product has tallied 17 total tackles across six appearances for the Panthers this season. If active for the Week 18 contest, expect Barnes to contribute primarily on special teams while playing a depth role in Carolina's linebacker corps.

The Panthers are signing Barnes from the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was elevated for Monday's loss to the 49ers with Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) and Trevin Wallace (shoulder) both inactive, and he proved productive in the spot start, playing 99 percent of defensive snaps and recording 10 tackles (three solo). If Rozeboom and Wallace both remain sidelined Sunday versus the Chargers, Barnes will represent a pivot option for fantasy managers in IDP formats.

Barnes recorded 10 tackles (three solo) in the Panthers' 20-9 loss to the 49ers on Monday night.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Monday's contest and started at linebacker, playing 99 percent of the defensive snaps, seeing his first defensive action of the season. Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) and Trevin Wallace (shoulder) were both inactive, and Claudin Cherelus exited Monday's game with a concussion, paving the way for Barnes to see extensive work.

Barnes and the Panthers agreed on a one-year contract Sunday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes will head to Carolina after starting all 17 regular-season games with the Cardinals in 2024, recording 35 total tackles (19 solo), including a career-high 2.0 sacks. The 27-year-old will now compete with Christian Rozeboom, Trevin Wallace and Jacoby Windmon for snaps at inside linebacker in 2025.

Barnes finished the 2024 season with 35 total tackles (19 solo), including 2.0 sacks, over 17 games.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was able to appear in all 17 games with Arizona this season, spending the majority of his time operating as a special-teams option. The linebacker was able to notch a career-high 2.0 sacks while playing 201 total defensive snaps. Barnes will end the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and he'll likely have no trouble finding another suitor in 2025.

Barnes made nine tackles (eight solo), including a tackle for a loss, in Sunday's 34-13 loss to the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

The middle linebacker was playing in place of Kyzir White, who exited in the second quarter with a knee injury. Barnes played on more than 19 percent of Arizona's defensive snaps just once in the first five games, and his playing time moving forward might depend on White's status.

The Cardinals signed Barnes off the practice squad to the active roster Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes was initially omitted from Arizona's 53-man roster at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad Wednesday. That was a deliberate move by the Cardinals, who needed to keep a spot on the initial roster open for Elijah Jones (heel) after placing Darius Robinson (calf) and Christian Jones (ankle) in the two spots dedicated to players placed on injured reserve who are designated to return. With Jones now placed on IR without having to miss the entire 2024 season, Barnes was brought back onto the active roster Thursday. Barnes played in 16 regular-season games in 2023 and finished with 55 tackles (35 solo), six passes defended and one interception.

Barnes and the Cardinals agreed on a one-year contract Monday, Johnny Venerables of PHNX Cardinals reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes joined the Cardinals ahead of the 2023 campaign, recording 55 tackles and six pass deflections (including an interception) over 16 games. The linebacker will now have a chance to build off of that performance in another campaign with Arizona.

Barnes tallied 55 tackles, one interception and five more pass defenses in 16 games during the 2023 regular season.

EDGE Analysis

Barnes scattered six starts among his 16 appearances, and most of his production occurred after Kyzir White was lost for the season after Week 11 due to a torn biceps. As evidence, Barnes had 34 tackles over the final six contests, a span in which he played at least 60 percent of the defensive snaps on four occasions. He was operating on a one-year contract this past season, so a return to the Cardinals in 2024 may depend on White's recovery.

Barnes finished Sunday's 35-31 win over the Eagles with seven tackles (four solo).

EDGE Analysis

Barnes and Antonio Hamilton finished tied for the most tackles on Arizona's defense Sunday. Barnes has played all but one defensive snap over the last two games since moving into the starting middle linebacker role for Kyzir White, who was placed on IR on Nov. 21 with a torn biceps. Since then, Barnes has 28 tackles (15 solo) over five games.