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Panthers Week 17 Injury Report: Three questionable

By Brandon Scott

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Kurt Coleman #20 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 24: Kurt Coleman #20 of the Carolina Panthers sacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons during the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers will be close to full force for their season finale at Atlanta…

Multiple teams across the NFL are less than healthy following a slate of 15 games with only one bye week to this point. The Carolina Panthers have been an exception this season. Losing two key starters for a majority of the year, both tight end Greg Olsen and center Ryan Kalil have recently returned to boost the Panthers offense.

While other teams are attempting to replace prominent starters while preparing for a playoff run, Carolina has been the beneficiary of those returning from injury or suspension and will be again on Sunday. Both defensive end Charles Johnson and linebacker Thomas Davis will be available after missing last week due to NFL induced suspensions.

Johnson missed the past four games due to a substance abuse violation regarding a performance enhancing drug while Davis returns from a suspension levied for a blindside block against Green Bay. Both should help an imposing pass rush remain fresh for the entire game in addition to completing an original starting linebacker group for the first time in a couple weeks.

Guard Trai Turner is progressing through the NFL concussion protocol after finishing a Week 14 game against Minnesota but reporting to practice with injury symptoms. He has missed the last two games but practiced this week and is listed as questionable for the game. Should he clear the protocol prior to kickoff, he is expected to play but with a playoff berth already secure – missing another week is not out of the question.

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Safety Kurt Coleman has also been limited with an ankle injury and may not suit up against Atlanta. If unavailable, both Colin Jones and Jairus Byrd are expected to see increased playing time in the Panthers secondary.

Fellow defensive back LaDarius Gunter is the other Panthers player listed as questionable for the season finale. While no players are currently listed as out, expectations are at least two of the three will not participate and potentially none as Carolina prepares for a wild-card matchup with New Orleans or Los Angeles as the most likely scenario.

Opposite, the Falcons will be without tight end Levine Toilolo and veteran center Alex Mack has been listed as questionable. Against a powerful Panthers pass rush the absence of Mack could be magnified as the game progresses if he is indeed unavailable.

Next: NFL Power Rankings - Week 17

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:25pm ET.

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