STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

NFL Team Report - Carolina Panthers</h2><br>PLAYER NOTES<p></p> --WR Torrey Smith suffered a knee injury last month against Philadelphia and missed three games. He has been back for some practice work this week on a limited basis, so it's unlikely he'll suit up for the Detroit game.<p></p> --CB James Bradberry missed a practice this week because of illness, but he was back the next day so there shouldn't be an issue regarding his status to face the Lions.<p></p> --DT Kawann Short is tied for the NFL lead among defensive tackles with 7.5 run stuffs this season. He shares the distinction with Detroit DT Damon Harrison Sr.<p></p> PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Christian McCaffrey. He scored all the team's touchdowns last week at Pittsburgh. His seven-touchdown total across the past three games marks the most for a player with the team since RB DeAngelo Williams did it 10 years ago. Through 25 career games, McCaffrey has scored 15 touchdowns.<p></p> GAME PLAN: The Panthers have made it clear they're willing to ride running back Christian McCaffrey as he often has a large role on the team. He figures to be fresher for this week's game with the Panthers after having a few extra days to recover after a Thursday night loss at Pittsburgh. Regardless of who's in the backfield, the Panthers are aware of the importance of establishing something credible on the ground and look for that to be a priority against a Detroit team that ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing defense.<p></p> The Panthers haven't always displayed a fast gear on the pass rush even though that figures to be one of the strengths for this unit. They'll be looking to get after Lions QB Matthew Stafford. Plus, perhaps the Steelers exposed some cracks in the defensive backfield, so the Panthers have to be wary of where they might be attacked most often.<p></p>MATCHUPS TO WATCH<p></p> --Panthers LBs vs. Lions RBs Theo Riddick and Kerryon Johnson. The Panthers have active players in the middle with LBs Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson, whose growth has been notable in several areas this season. But the Lions will make this group work in pass coverage in ways some teams might not have done. Riddick and Johnson have 36 and 30 receptions, respectively, giving Detroit the only team with a duo of running backs with 30 or more catches. In total, Lions running backs have 74 receptions (of 223 total catches for the team).<p></p> --Panthers OL vs. Lions DT Damon Harrison Sr. The Panthers get a second dose of Harrison this season. He played against Carolina when the New York Giants visited. Now he's back on the opponent list, this time with the Lions after a late-October trade. Harrison is the NFL leader among defensive tackles with 51 tackles this season. He has eight tackles for loss. In the Oct. 7 game, the Panthers did a solid job in handling Harrison, who had four tackles (and one of those was for a loss). Panthers C Ryan Kalil will have to apply what he learned last month during this rematch with Harrison. </div> <div class="flex gap-2"> <div class="font-bold text-gray-600">The Sports Xchange</div> </div> <div id="comments" class="pt-6"></div> </div> </div> <div class="py-6 space-y-6"> <div class="space-y-4"> <h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Recent Stories</h2> <a href="/feature/testing-buffalo-bill-page" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Testing Buffalo Bill Page</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> Joe Horrigan knows the Buffalo Bills </div> </div> </a> <a href="/feature/06e3032cec6e442ab60a7fd8ae1b3701" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Steelers positional analysis: Kenny Pickett stands alone in QB room</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> 2/17/2024If the Steelers were concerned about the uncertain future at quarterback when Ben Roethlisberger retired, the outlook at the position might not be any more ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/feature/07f24b7086b24e9e83c29e8bf9cd913b" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">49ers coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t deserve criticism since Super Bowl</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> Globe StaffUpdated February 17, 2024, 9:38 a.m.Kyle Shanahan has been on the defensive all week following the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/feature/2ae9263e12c74de88c5fb4aa552a1f3e" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">New Raiders GM expected to be aggressive in search for top QB</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> February 17, 2024 - 4:19 PMIf Tom Telesco’s past offers clues about his future, expect the Raiders’ new general manager to be aggressive in bringing in a top-level ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/features?skip=22" class="group flex items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg shadow px-3.5 py-2.5 text-gray-800 hover:text-gray-700 font-medium"> <span>Read More Stories</span> <span class="transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 motion-reduce:transform-none"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-right"></i></span> </a> </div> <div class="space-y-4"> <h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Latest Player Notes</h2> <a href="/note/65f70668f166e2567ab51b31" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> <span class="font-light"> </span> Mar 15, 2024 Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b24" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> <span class="font-light"> </span> Mar 15, 2024 Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b11" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How can UW recruit its best class ever? 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