Panthers Edge Brian Burns (wrist), DT Gerald McCoy (knee) and S Eric Reid (ankle) are active for today's game against the Jaguars. Burns carries the most IDP intrigue among the 3.

Panthers Edge Brian Burns (wrist), DT Gerald McCoy (knee) and S Eric Reid (ankle) are all expected to play against the Jaguars today, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports. McCoy isn't much of an IDP option even when healthy. Reid managed just 1 limited practice this week and looks like a high-risk, low-reward fantasy play. Burns carries the most upside against a Jags offense allowing the league's 11th highest sack rate. Two of Jacksonville's past 3 opponents have notched 4+ sacks.

The Panthers will go without CB Donte Jackson for the 2nd straight week this Sunday. He's out with a groin injury. DL Gerald McCoy, Edge Brian Burns and S Eric Reid are questionable. Reid (ankle) put in only a limited Friday practice and looks like a poor IDP bet even if he's active for the game. McCoy (knee) did not practice Thursday or Friday after practicing in full on Wednesday. Burns (wrist) didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but then put in a full workout Friday. He'll be the guy to watch Sunday morning, with an upside sack matchup against the Jaguars.

The Panthers will face the Texans today without CB Donte Jackson (groin) and DT Kawann Short (shoulder). Both are inactive after entering the day questionable. Their absences ding a defense already facing 1 of the league's more high-powered offenses. DE Bruce Irvin will play for the first time this season. He also entered questionable with a hamstring injury. We'll see how his return affects the playing time of rookie Brian Burns. The rookie should be your IDP play for Week 4, though, in an upside spot.

The Panthers have ruled out DE/OLB Bruce Irvin for Sunday's opener against the Rams. That should mean more playing time for rookie edge Brian Burns, who racked up 4 sacks across the 3 preseason games he played. The Rams don't present a terrific matchup for his IDP upside in Week 1, but a strong outing -- and/or continued hamstring trouble for Irvin -- could mean more playing time for Burns going forward. A Week 2 matchup with the Buccaneers presents attractive upside.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Panthers have agreed with S Tre Boston to a 1-year deal worth $3 million. Boston took a while to find a new home after solid play in Arizona last year. But he lands in a Carolina defense that's replacing S Mike Adams in the starting lineup. The early front-runner has been Rashaan Gaulden, a 3rd-round pick last year who played CB in college and spent just 143 snaps on the field as a rookie. Boston likely arrives as at least insurance and a potential rotational player. The Panthers have reportedly worked Gaulden at nickel corner some, in addition to safety. This will be a situation to watch for IDP upside -- especially after Carolina let longtime LB Thomas Davis walk in free agency.

The Panthers will shift to a primarily 3-4 front on defense in 2019, ESPN's David Newton reports. The change follows Carolina's lowest sack total since HC Ron Rivera's 1st season in 2012. It also returns Rivera's scheme to the version he ran with the 2010 Chargers. The change means Kawann Short will move primarily from 4-3 DT to 3-4 DE. It also means that edge players Mario Addison, Bruce Irvin, Brian Burns and Marquis Haynes could find themselves classified as OLBs rather than DEs. The position designations for 2019 might depend on which commissioner site your league uses. Keep an eye out for potential changes as we get into IDP draft season.

The Panthers spent their 1st-round pick on DE Brian Burns in the NFL Draft. Burns tallied 9.5, 13.5 and 15.5 tackles for loss in 3 seasons at Florida State, including 8.5, 4.5 and 10 sacks. Burns might need to add weight beyond the 249 he logged at the Combine before he's ready for regular NFL duty. But he should at least be a rotational factor soon in a Carolina D desperately in need of new edge talent. The DE designation will help his IDP outlook.

DE Bruce Irvin has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Panthers. That sets the former Falcon up well for 2019 playing time. Carolina had just 2 DEs reach 50% snap share last season, and Juilus Peppers has retired since finishing 2nd in that category. Mario Addison continues to lead the group, heading into his age-32 season. Wes Horton played 47% as the #3 DE last year and is now an unrestricted free agent. Wild cards in the mix are Efe Obada (soon to be 27) and 2018 rookie Marquis Haynes. Obada's a fun prospect from Nigeria who flashed in limited time last year. But Haynes arrived as a 4th-round pick last year after tallying 47.5 tackles for loss and 32 sacks across 4 seasons at Mississippi State. Irvin might open 2019 as a starter but is smallish and might also fare better with limited snaps. It'll be a position to watch in Carolina.

The Chargers will be signing LB Thomas Davis, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Davis joins a crowded LB corps that will continue to start Denzel Perryman after re-signing him. Jatavis Brown figures to return to a backup role. We'll see how 2019 rookie Kyzir White fits in. Davis turns 36 on March 22 but remained a full-time player after returning from his season-opening PED suspension. We'll see how the Chargers sort out the corps. They haven't favored playing any LB at 100% in recent seasons. Davis' departure could allow LB Shaq Thompson to regain full playing time in Carolina. He's in the final year of his rookie contract.

The Panthers have ruled DT Kawann Short (calf) out for Sunday's finale at New Orleans.

Panthers DT Kawann Short is inactive for today's game against the Falcons because of a calf injury. That takes Carolina's best D-lineman out of the lineup, improving the matchup for Falcons RB Tevin Coleman. The 1st meeting found Coleman delivering 1 of his two 100-yard rushing lines so far this year.

Panthers DT Kawann Short is surprisingly active for tonight’s game against the Saints. Short entered the day doubtful, which should mean that IDP owners already went with someone else. If you were holding out, though, he’s available

Panthers DT Kawann Short is doubtful for Monday night's game against the Saints with a calf injury that kept him out of practice Friday and Saturday. We've knocked Short out of the Week 15 IDP rankings, where he was just a low-level option anyway.

Panthers S Eric Reid got ejected in the 3rd quarter of Thursday night's game against the Steelers after a shot to the head of QB Ben Roethlisberger. Reid launched and made contact with Roethlisberger's helmet as the QB slid at the end of a scramble. We'll see if there's any further discipline for Reid, but we wouldn't bet on it.