Panthers DE Mario Addison saw his playing time limited by a back injury in Sunday's win over the Eagles. He managed to play just 27% of the snaps, compared with a 68% share over the 1st 5 games. Addison eventually left for good in the 4th quarter. We'll keep an eye on his status heading into a Week 8 meeting with the Ravens.

The Panthers on Thursday signed former 49ers S Eric Reid. The move makes obvious sense for a team that moved on from Kurt Coleman in the offseason and then lost replacement Da'Norris Searcy to injury. We'd bet on Reid making his way to the starting lineup soon after Carolina's Week 4 bye and entering the weekly IDP radar. We'll see how quickly the Panthers want that to happen.

The Panthers on Friday placed S Da'Norris Searcy on IR after he suffered his 2nd concussion inside a 30-day span. The team's "unofficial" depth chart lists Colin Jones as Searcy's replacement. Rashaan Gaulden got the bulk of the replacement snaps after Searcy left in Week 2. We'll see how the replacement plan works out. For Week 3, Mike Adams is the only Panthers safety in play.

Panthers DE Mario Addison is questionable for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers with a hip injury. Addison missed practice Wednesday and Thursday before putting in a limited workout Friday. We'll check on his status Sunday morning. Carolina, of course, will definitely go without OLB Thomas Davis, who was suspended 1 game for an illegal hit that left Packers WR Davante Adams concussed.

Panthers LBs Thomas Davis (hamstring) and Shaq Thompson (foot) are active for today's game against the Saints. Both defenders entered the day questionable. Davis has been a mediocre IDP option even when healthy and playing full time this year, so don't expect either to be much of an IDP factor. There is tackle upside, at least, against this year's run-driven Saints offense.

Panthers LB Thomas Davis (hamstring) and LB Shaq Thompson (foot) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Saints. Davis missed Wednesday's practice but returned for the past 2. Thompson put in limited practices all week. Expect both to play, but neither is a significant IDP factor. We'll still confirm their statuses Sunday morning.

Panthers S Kurt Coleman (knee) and MLB Luke Kuechly (concussion) are active for today's game against the Buccaneers. Coleman missed the past 3 games with a ligament sprain. Kuechly cleared the concussion protocol this week after missing last Sunday's loss to the Bears.

Panthers DE Mario Addison (knee) and Julius Peppers (shoulder) are active for today's game at Detroit. Both pass rushers entered the day questionable after barely practicing during the week. It's a common scenario for Peppers, who should be used as normal. Addison carries a bit more risk but faces a better individual matchup. As the starting right DE, Addison will get Lions LT Greg Robinson (rather than RT Rick Wagner). Pro Football Focus grades Robinson 65th among 66 qualifying OTs.

Panthers DE Mario Addison (knee) and DE Julius Peppers (shoulder) are both questionable for Sunday's game at Detroit. Addison returned to a limited practice Friday after missing the 1st 2 days. Peppers sat out all 3 days of workouts. We'll check on their statuses Sunday morning. Each carries obvious risk as an IDP option.

The Panthers have ruled CB Daryl Worley out for Sunday's game at New England because of a shoulder injury. He missed the whole week of practice. LB Thomas Davis, however, didn't even make the final injury report despite missing 2 days and putting in only a limited workout Friday. He's dealing with a rib injury but appears ready to play. We'll certainly keep an eye out Sunday for his status.

The Panthers have finalized their 53-man roster, and it includes both kickers who spent the summer competing. Veteran Graham Gano and 7th-round rookie Harrison Butker will apparently both open the regular season with the team. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reports that Carolina has been fielding trade offers for Gano. We'll see if they make a move. For now, fantasy drafters might want to steer toward a clearer situation.

Panthers HC Ron Rivera confirmed Wednesday that MLB Luke Kuechly will sit out Sunday's season finale against the Buccaneers. Kuechly has cleared the concussion protocol, but Carolina has elected to keep him out of the final few games. Two straight seasons of multiple-game absences for concussions raises questions about Kuechly's long-term future, though he has said he's not considering retirement. We'll see what else this story has in the offseason. A.J. Klein will start in his place again, but OLB Shaq Thompson has passed him to sit #2 behind Thomas Davis in playing time among Carolina LBs.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly is inactive for tonight's game against Washington, despite clearing the concussion protocol this week. HC Ron Rivera said previously that didn't necessarily mean Kuechly would play and that he would put the player's future first in making the decision. Carolina's choice to keep Kuechly on the sideline raises the possibility of him sitting out the next 2 games as well. We'll see if/when we get word from the Panthers on that. If you'd been waiting on Kuechly for Week 15, it's time to start someone such as fill-in MLB A.J. Klein or Washington ILB Mason Foster in his place in your IDP lineup.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly has been cleared to return to game action after missing the past 3 weeks with a concussion. That doesn't necessarily mean he'll play Monday night against Washington, though. If you're waiting for him for your IDP lineup, make sure you have insurance. Options in the same game -- for various league sizes -- include Thomas Davis, A.J. Klein and Mason Foster.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly put in a full practice Thursday, the 1st official day of the week since Carolina plays Washington on Monday night. Kuechly didn't make it to "full" status until Friday last week and then fell short of clearance for the game. We'll see if he can make that final step in his progression through the league concussion protocol this time around.

Panthers MLB Luke Kuechly couldn't quite gain final clearance to play Sunday against the Chargers, but HC Ron Rivera said plans haven't changed going forward. “No. I’ll go along with what the doctors tell me,” Rivera told the Charlotte Observer. “That’s the truth of the matter.” He was reportedly responding to a question about whether the team would go ahead and shut Kuechly down for the rest of the year even if he clears the concussion protocol. This is the 2nd straight year in which Kuechly has lost 3 games to a concussion. We'll see what the situation means for Kuechly's long-term future. IDP owners can keep him on 2016 rosters, though, in hopes that you'll be able to use him over the final 2-3 fantasy weeks.

The Panthers will have DE Mario Addison (foot), S Kurt Coleman (concussion) and CB Daryl Worley (concussion) in the lineup against the Chargers. All 3 are active after entering the day questionable. Addison remains a risky start and is a boom/bust IDP candidate anyway. Coleman and Worley are top fantasy options among DBs for the week.

Panthers S Kurt Coleman cleared the concussion protocol Saturday and is on track to play Sunday against the Chargers. Coleman missed Week 14 with the concussion but should be good to go in IDP lineups if he's active.