Black and Blue Review
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday the Panthers would “immediately” know the status of receiver Jerricho Cotchery when they saw him the next morning.
That Cotchery didn’t practice Thursday is a good indication that he won’t be facing the Saints on a high ankle sprain.
“It’s looking bleak for Sunday,” Rivera admitted.
It’s likely Brenton Bersin will be promoted from the practice squad to help fill Cotchery’s role, but Rivera left open the possibility of avoiding a roster move by using QB Joe Webb as an extra wideout.
“We’re still figuring things out,” Rivera said.
Even though defensive end Charles Johnson didn’t practice for a second straight day, Rivera said he wasn’t concerned about the availability of his best pass rusher. And while DT Star Lotulelei already appeared likely to return from his stress reaction, Sunday’s forecast should help ease some concerns about his conditioning.
“If we had to, and we had to push it, yeah, we might have been able to get him on the field last week. But as hot as it was, as many plays as the defense was out there for, that may have been a disaster,” Rivera said. “So I think trying to do things the right way and do things the smart way and listening to what [head trainer] Ryan Vermillion and the doctors say, that outweighs it.
“That was only the second game of the regular season and now we’ve got 14 left.”
Thursday’s Injury Reports
Carolina Panthers
Did not practice
- WR Jerricho Cotchery (ankle)
- DE Charles Johnson (hamstring)
- LB Luke Kuechly (concussion)
- T Daryl Williams (knee)
Limited
- RB Jonathan Stewart (knee)
- DE Wes Horton (shoulder)
- RB Fozzy Whittaker (shoulder)
Full
- S Roman Harper (not injury related)
- DT Kyle Love (knee)
- G Trai Turner (knee)
- TE Richie Brockel (shoulder)
- DT Star Lotulelei (ankle)
New Orleans Saints
Did Not Practice
- S Jairus Byrd (Knee)
- WR Brandin Cooks (Ankle)
- G Jahri Evans (Knee)
Limited
- QB Drew Brees (Shoulder)
- LB Dannell Ellerbe (Toe)
- DB Keenan Lewis (Hip)