Name Position Injury Practice Status Game Status
Frank Alexander DE Back Full Participation in Practice Probable
Antwan Applewhite DE Knee Full Participation in Practice Probable
Jon Beason LB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Doubtful
Chris Gamble CB Shoulder Did Not Participate In Practice Doubtful
Geoff Hangartner G Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable
Colin Jones S Shoulder Full Participation in Practice Probable
Mike Pollak G Shoulder Out (Definitely Will Not Play) Out

Seattle’s injury list:*

Name Position Injury Practice Status Game Status
Jaye Howard DT Foot Did Not Participate In Practice Out
Marshawn Lynch RB Not Injury Related Full Participation in Practice Probable
Brandon Mebane DT Calf Full Participation in Practice Probable
John Moffitt G Knee Out (Definitely Will Not Play) Out
Marcus Trufant CB Back Limited Participation in Practice Questionable

Comparing the two teams, we see that Seattle is healthier overall entering the game, and that the Panthers are missing two key players on defense. Beason is the heart of the defense with his experience and All-Pro past. While rookie Luke Kuechly is very well-equipped to play the middle, he’s still a rookie. I think the MLB spot is his natural position since that’s the slot he so aptly held down in his days at Boston College, but he has a lot of seasoning to do on the pro level.

Chris Gamble is the top player in a very thin secondary. While the Panthers do have some bright-looking young corners like Josh Norman and Josh Thomas, they aren’t up to the task of filling such big shoes yet. Captain Munnerlyn is left as the most experienced corner but has taken his share of criticism for giving up big plays.

Add that to the fact that Seattle has a very accomplished running attack of their own with Marshawn “the Beast” Lynch running, and Kuechly really will have his hands full.

The only soft spot I see with Seattle is that DT Jaye Howard is out and DT Brandon Mebane seems to be just coming off a calf problem. The Seahawks’ defense could have issues in the center of that line with their rotation and if Carolina is able to keep the game close, they should be pounding away on the inside in an attempt to hit them where they’re the most vulnerable. This defense doesn’t have many vulnerabilities so the Panthers look to take advantage of anything they can.

I still say the first team to 15 points wins this one.

* – Injury lists provided by NFL.com

Courtesy of picturepush.com

Well if you are a linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, watch out for your health. Don’t go and take any type of risks because that could put you right in the hospital the way it is going for the Panthers linebacking core this season. Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and Thomas Williams are all already on the injured reserve list and out for the season and it seems to other Panther linebackers have decided to join them on the injury report this week.

The biggest name is James Anderson, who is listed as questionable for the game after rolling his ankle in practice on Thursday. Anderson has been the heart of the defense and is the last remaining true starting linebacker for the Panthers. Anderson signed a new contract with the Panthers this offseason and has really lived up to the hype of it. He is leading the team in tackles this season with 66, 25 more than Charles Godfrey who is the next closest player. (more…)

Luckily, it looks like the Panthers will be close to full strength for the game against the Vikings. The Panthers released their injury report earlier today and it was pretty clean. The team had just four players listed on the report, quarterback Cam Newton, safety Jordan Pugh, linebacker Omar Gaither and cornerback Darius Butler. (more…)