Taylor Heinicke – Noteworthy
QB Taylor Heinicke is the backup quarterback, but he’s getting more practice reps as the Panthers try to conserve the arm/shoulder of QB Cam Newton.
This could be a benefit for Heinicke if he’s thrust into more meaningful game action.
Torrey Smith – Noteworthy – Injury
WR Torrey Smith’s knee injury must have been more hurtful than originally suggested. He suffered the injury late in the Oct. 21 victory at Philadelphia.
He didn’t play last week against Baltimore and he wasn’t back on the field for practice by the middle of the week for preparations in advance of the Tampa Bay game.