Julius Peppers – Noteworthy
DE Julius Peppers has shied away from discussing his future with retirement a possibility. “We still have a game left to play,” Peppers said. I’ll save that answer (about my future) for a later date.”
Yet Peppers, 38, kept some of the mystery out there. “It’s always disappointing whenever you don’t make the playoffs,” he said. “But there’s always next year.” In the home finale, he recovered a fumble, giving him 21 career fumble recoveries (and 10 as a member of the Panthers).
Kawann Short – Noteworthy – Injury
DT Kawann Short was on the inactive list for the Atlanta game with a lingering calf injury. He remained out of practice by mid-week prior to the season finale.
Kyle Allen – Noteworthy – Injury
QB Kyle Allen, an undrafted rookie, will start at quarterback in the season finale against the New Orleans Saints after the Panthers placed Taylor Heinicke on the Injured Reserve List earlier in the day.
Allen completed all four passes he threw for 38 yards after coming in when Heinicke was injured. Allen started three games for the University of Houston last season and played in 20 games at Texas A&M before transferring to Houston in January 2016.
Ryan Kalil – Noteworthy – Injury
C Ryan Kalil exited after the final home game and acknowledged that he indeed will follow through on plans to retire at season’s end.
That means he has one game remaining in a career that spanned 12 seasons. “A lot of good memories here, with a lot of great guys,” Kalil said. “Lot of great coaches. … Very blessed to be able to play as long as I did, and can’t really find the words to describe it.” Kalil has been considered among the team leaders for several seasons. He said he’s glad he decided when it was time to call it a career and didn’t have that decision made for him. He’ll try to make the most of the career finale at New Orleans. “I think the best thing that I can do is approach it like I would any other week,” he said. “That’s the way I’ll get the most of it.”
Shaq Thompson – Noteworthy – Injury
LB Shaq Thompson went on injured reserve prior to the Atlanta game because of a shoulder injury. He had played in the first 14 games with 11 starts. He was the second-leading tackler on the team.
Taylor Heinicke – Noteworthy – Injury
QB Taylor Heinicke of the Panthers was played on the Injured Reserve List because of a left elbow injury.
Heinicke sustained the injury last week in his starting debut as a pro against the Atlanta Falcons after the Panthers shut down startin
Trai Turner – Noteworthy – Injury
LG Trai Turner (ankle) left the home finale against Atlanta and it’s unlikely he’ll be available for the game at New Orleans.
Tyler Larsen – Noteworthy
OL Tyler Larsen filled in for Trai Turner at left guard in the Atlanta game.