The final week of the NFL season features divisional matchups across the board, including one between NFC South opponents in New Orleans. The Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints square off in the final game of the regular season on Sunday afternoon.
D’Onta Foreman, Juwan Johnson QUESTIONABLE for Panthers – Saints
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- The Panthers
The Panthers enter week 18 ranked 28th in the league in passing offense, averaging 185.3 yards per game through the air, and 12th in rushing offense, averaging 127.4 yards per game.
Carolina ranks 18th in the league in scoring offense, averaging 21.1 points per game, and 22nd in scoring defense, allowing 22.9 points per game.
Christian McCaffrey, who is no longer with the team, finished third on the team in rushing with 85 yards and two touchdowns.
In his absence, Chuba Hubbard (74 carries, 397 yards, two touchdowns) and D’Onta Foreman (191 carries, 846 yards, five touchdowns) have stepped up. DJ Moore leads the team in receiving with 62 receptions for 878 yards and seven touchdowns this season
McCaffrey had 33 receptions for 277 yards and a touchdown, while the also-departed Robby Anderson (13 receptions, 206 yards, TD), Shi Smith (22 catches, 296 yards, two touchdowns), Laviska Shenault Jr. (26 grabs, 264 yards, TD), and Terrace Marshall (26 grabs, 467 yards, TD) all had more than 200 yards this season. Eddy Piniero is 29 of 31 on extra points and 32 of 34 on field goal attempts this season, with a long of 54.
Injury Report
The Panthers have a light injury report at this time. Matt Ioannidis (back) was the only player who did not participate in practice on Thursday.
Tight end Stephen Sullivan (elbow) and linebackers Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring) and Chandler Wooten (ankle) were all limited on Thursday. Keep an eye out for updates on their statuses as the game approaches.
Foreman was listed as a limited participant with a knee injury on Friday and is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against New Orleans.
SEE MORE: Week 18 Injury Reports Patriots – Bills: Josh Allen READY, Damar Hamlin’s latest injury status
- The Saints
The Saints are 16th in the league in passing offense with 220.7 yards per game and 19th in rushing offense with 114.9 yards per game this season.
New Orleans ranks 22nd in the league in scoring offense, averaging 20.2 points per game, and 13th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 20.9 points per game. Jameis Winston has completed 73 of 115 passes for 858 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.
On the ground, he gains 16 yards. Andy Dalton has completed 237 of 353 passes for 2,700 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while gaining 52 yards on the ground.
Taysom Hill (13 of 19, 240 yards, two touchdowns, 91 carries, 551 yards, seven touchdowns, eight catches, 76 yards, two touchdowns) is a versatile offensive piece.
Alvin Kamara leads the team in rushing with 200 carries for 790 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Mark Ingram II (62 carries, 233 yards, TD).
Chris Olave leads the team this season with 67 catches for 982 yards and three touchdowns. This season, Kamara (56 receptions, 487 yards, two touchdowns), Tre’Quan Smith (18 receptions, 272 yards, two touchdowns), Jarvis Landry (21 receptions, 238 yards, two touchdowns), Rashid Shaheed (25 receptions, 454 yards, two touchdowns), and Juwan Johnson (41 receptions, 487 yards, seven touchdowns) have all surpassed 200 yards receiving.
This season, Will Lutz has made all 32 extra point attempts and is 23 of 29 on field goal attempts with a long of 60.
Injury Report
For this week, the Saints’ injury report is relatively lengthy. Guard Andrus Peat (ankle) and cornerback Paulson Adebo (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
On Thursday, safety Justin Evans (shoulder), Marcus Maye (shoulder), Hill (back), Johnson (quad), tackles James Hurst (foot) and Ryan Ramczyk (hip/rest), and linebacker Ty Summers (oblique) were all limited. Keep an eye out for updates on their respective statuses as the game approaches.
