The Panthers will head to Atlanta this weekend to take on the Falcons with a lot of folks auditioning for upgraded roles in 2020: while head coach Perry Fewell and offensive coordinator Scott Turner both have the interim tag, there will be others trying their best to find jobs next season, whether it’s in Carolina or elsewhere.
With Ron Rivera relieved of duties on Tuesday morning, even those players whose role seemed secure on the roster heading into next season may be in question depending on the predilections of the new head coach or offensive coordinator; two such players – Dennis Daley and Ian Thomas – who will almost certainly play a part in next year’s roster, will get a head start this Sunday as the Panthers will be without Greg Olsen (concussion) and Greg Little (high ankle sprain) for the Week 14 matchup with the Falcons.
Little has played in only four games his rookie season and the 34-year old Olsen, who had started every game for five consecutive seasons until 2017, will miss his 17th game in the past three years.
Dennis Daley will get his sixth start at left tackle and Ian Thomas is expected to get the majority of the passcatching snaps at tight end – Daley was a sixth-round pick this season and has provided unexpected depth at four of the five positions on the offensive line and Thomas was the first pick of the fourth-round in 2018 but has seen limited playing time with Greg Olsen taking the majority of the tight end snaps. After Olsen left last week with a concussion, Thomas had four catches for 24 yards after having only one catch on two targets in the 11 games prior.
“Those guys have been pretty consistent this week,” said Fewell. “Pete [Hoener] is a fine tight end coach and their preparation has been really, really good. Those guys [Thomas and Chris Manhertz] have really busted their hind ends this week because we only have the two; so they went offense and they had to go look squad sometimes. They were outstanding this week, so I feel really good about them.”
Although Mario Addison is listed as questionable, Fewell said that is more of a precautionary measure. Check out the full injury report below:
| Player | Injury | Game Status | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greg Little | Ankle | Out | ||
| Greg Olsen | Concussion | Out | ||
| Garrett McGhin | Ankle | Questionable | ||
| Mario Addison | Groin | Questionable |
