The Carolina Panthers fired defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero on Friday after a 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers, according to Fox News. It is the first coordinator firing of the NFL season, the outlet reports. The team also fired defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley.

The loss on Thursday night at Lambeau Field was Carolina's second in a row, Fox News reports. It dropped the team to 3-4. Even so, the Panthers still lead the NFC South.

Evero, 45, had run the defense under head coach Dave Canales since 2024, the outlet reports. In his first season, the defense gave up 31.4 points a game, the worst mark in the league. It improved to 23 points a game last season. This year it has slipped to 27.6 points a game, which ranks 27th, Fox News reports.

Injuries have hit the defense hard, the outlet reports. Carolina has played recent games without starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson. Backup cornerback Akayleb Evans went on injured reserve this week. Linebackers Nic Scourton and Thomas Incoom and defensive tackle Cam Jackson are also out.

Defensive line coach Todd Wash will be the interim coordinator and call the defensive plays, Fox News reports. Wash joined Carolina in 2023 and has 31 years of coaching experience, including 20 in the NFL. He spent five seasons as defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Outside linebackers coach AC Carter will also coach the defensive line.

The Panthers play the Denver Broncos a week from Sunday, the outlet reports.

What we know: Evero and Cooley are out, and Wash will lead the defense for now.
What we don't: Whether the team will name a full-time coordinator this season. Only Fox News has reported this so far. NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.