Let’s start with the Panthers' injury report, as they’re coming into Sunday hobbled. Starting linebacker Frankie Luvu missed Thursday’s practice with a shoulder injury. However, he’s been on the field for 93 percent of the team’s snaps. Carolina was also without safety Xavier Woods, who sat out with a hamstring injury.
Woods is the replacement for arguably the Panthers' best defender, Jeremy Chinn, who landed on the injured reserve earlier in the week.
Three other players were held out Thursday, but not Christian McCaffrey, who was removed from the injury report. This goes without saying, but McCaffrey is Carolina’s offense.