2020 ScheduleAll times ET

2020 Schedule
0-1, 2nd in NFC South
Clark pencils in Brady to earn first win as a Buc in Week 2 (1:15)
7h

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers have ruled out DT Kawann Short, DE Yatur Gross-Matos and OG Dennis Daley for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. Coach Matt Rhule said it was in Short's best interest not to play this week, but he will travel. His absence will impact the pass rush that was non-existent against the Raiders.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

The Panthers' ever-changing roster changed again with the signing of wide receiver Hakeem Butler to the practice squad and the release of DE Myles Adam from the practice squad. Butler was a fourth-round pick by the Cardinals in 2019 and spent last season on IR.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Joe Brady defended his failed fourth-and-1 call that went to fullback Alex Armah instead of Christian McCaffrey by saying he felt confident in the call. He doesn't plan to outthink himself moving forward.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Phil Snow would be ‘'surprised'' if Pro Bowl DT Kawann Short doesn't play on Sunday against the Bucs. Short missed Wednesday's practice with a foot injury and was limited today.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers DC Phil Snow wasn't surprised by how well CB Rasul Douglass played in an emergency situation against the Raiders and plans to use Douglass, Donte Jackson and Troy Pride Jr. on Sunday against Tom Brady and the Bucs.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Cornerback Rasul Douglas expected “to be a cheerleader'' for the Panthers in Sunday's opener against the Raiders. He didn't get to practice until Wednesday after being released by the Eagles because of COVID-19 testing. When starter Donte Jackson went down early Douglas wound up playing over 80 percent of the snaps. He played so well it will be an interesting call with Jackson (ankle) appearing set to return for the Bucs and Tom Brady.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

The Bucs were one of the few teams to shut Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey down last season, holding him to 68 yards rushing in two games. “They're the best run defense for a reason,'' said coach Matt Rhule said, who went back and studied that game film.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers coach Matt Rhule was shown by an offensive lineman the shirtless pictures of running back Christian McCaffrey from a GQ cover shoot. His thoughts? “I just wish someone would ask me to do something like that.''

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers rookie DE Yatur Gross-Matos is in the concussion protocol after being hit in the eye on Wednesday, which makes him doubtful for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. DT Kawann Short was limited on Thursday with a foot injury. Expect a bigger role for Efe Obada, who can play end and tackle.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short, who missed Wednesday's practice with a foot injury, was present for Thursday's practice in the bubble wearing a red jersey. The jersey likely means he won't do much in practice. DE Yetur Gross-Matos was not a practice. He got a finger in the eye on Wednesday. Cornerback Donte Jackson (ankle) appears set to go.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey posed this summer for the cover of the October issue of QG Magazine. There are multiple shirtless pictures of him, including one where he's wearing a cowboy hat. Among the things learned in the accompanying article shouldn't come as a surprise. "I started getting to the point where I loved quarantine,” McCaffrey said. “Part of me has been trying to social distance myself for a long time now.”

Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
2d

Reid: No offers, visits since release by Panthers

Free-agent safety Eric Reid told The Associated Press on Wednesday he has not received any offers nor been invited for a visit by any team since the Panthers released him in March.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Had Tampa Bay not gotten Tom Brady in free agency the team would have been interested in signing Teddy Bridgewater, his opponent on Sunday when the Bucs face the Panthers. “He was very, very high on the radar,'' Arians said of Bridgewater. “I've always been a big fan of his.''

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers WR Robby Anderson was mic'ed up on Sunday and the funniest thing happened. He thought the team mascot, Sir Purr, was a bear. "What's that bear doing?'' Anderson said during the game. Said quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who connected on a 75-yard touchdown with Anderson, said, "That's Robby being Robby.''

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

How does Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater feel when he's seldom if ever mentioned among Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan when talking about NFC South quarterbacks? “Honestly, when you look at this division and the other three teams and the quarterbacks, they're all guys who have done some great things in this league . . . Super Bowl champions, league MVPs. . . . I aspire to be like those guys.''

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Russell Okung has played with a lot of great running backs, but the Panthers' left tackle hasn't played with any better than Christian McCaffrey. “What a freaking baller. What a freaking baller that is. His tenacity reminds me a lot of Marshawn Lynch.''

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers LT Russell Okung was very candid when asked how the line did in the opener, referring to a key play late that failed: “Honestly, the game comes down to fourth-and-1. When the game is on the line and you need a yard, you're supposed to get a yard. If I were being completely honest, we did not do enough to win the game. I'm extremely disappointed in that, in myself. We needed more.''

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers coach Matt Rhule and Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians both are former Temple head coaches. So when Rhule's Temple team upset Penn State in 2015 there was a big celebration party, and the only call he took was from Arians. “Coach Arians is fearlessly loyal,'' Rhule said.

David Newton ESPN Staff Writer 

Panthers Pro Bowl DT Kawann Short did not practice on Wednesday due to a foot injury. “Anytime someone doesn't practice I'm concerned,'' coach Matt Rhule said. Short injured the foot in the game but gutted it out. Rhule said if anybody can come back from this Short can. He later referred to Short having his ankle taped during the game. Also, LG Dennis Daley likely will miss his second game.

Team Stats

Passing Yards259.010th
Rushing Yards129.015th
Points For30.08th
Points Against34.0Tied-3rd

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