Player Profiles

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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