The Panthers are preparing for their season finale against the Saints

Defensive tackle Kawann Short missed practice today with a sore ankle Youth Ryan Kalil Jersey , guard Trai Turner was absent due to an ankle injury, and left tackle Marshall Newhouse was out with a hip issue. If Newhouse is unable to play, Chris Clark will replace him in the lineup according to Ron Rivera.On the quarterback front, Kyle Allen will get the start on Sunday now that Taylor Heinicke is on injured reserve. Recently signed Garrett Gilbert will be the backup.Here’s today’s full injury report:Panthers injury reportDid not participate in practiceS Mike Adams (rest)LB Thomas Davis (rest)C Ryan Kalil (rest)RB Christian McCaffrey (rest)OT Marshall Newhouse (hip)QB Cam Newton (shoulder)DE Julius Peppers (rest)DT Kawann Short (calf)G Trai Turner (ankle)Limited participation in practiceN/AFull participation in practiceN/APractice StatusDid not participate in practice = 0% of a player’s normal repetitionsLimited participation in practice = Less than 100% of a player’s normal repetitionsFull participation in practice = 100% of a player’s normal repetitionsGame StatusOut = Player will not playDoubtful = Player unlikely to playQuestionable = Uncertain if player will play The Panthers defense might not be good. Shocker! My last article was written about a month ago and it went into detail about the issues the secondary was experiencing in allowing explosive plays.Unfortunately, these issues have gotten incrementally worse. I truly fear for what the Saints might do to this defense in late December. Without further ado Youth Greg Olsen Jersey , let’s dive into the blood bath from the past two weeks. James Bradberry had a productive game against Tampa Bay a couple weeks ago, but there were still larger issues that were carried over against the Steelers. For the positive, he was able to shut down Mike Evans by using his press technique to disrupt him at the line of scrimmage. Bradberry has fared well against Evans in his short career, so it’s not a total surprise he was able to use his length to have a nice afternoon.This isn’t Bradberry’s fault per se and the result of Fitzpatrick’s throw turns into an interception, but the larger issue is the defensive call that allowed Evans to be open. Carolina is playing quarter/quarter half (cover 4 on one side and cover 2 on other). Bradberry is squatting in cover 2 http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/michael-palardy-jersey-authentic , but this allows Evans to run free on the deep dig. Fortunately, Fitzpatrick overthrows the ball. On this play, the Panthers are in a cover 4. Bradberry has the deep sideline, but he correctly doesn’t gain too much depth. He reads the short route, but his poor change of direction causes him issues as he pursues the receiver. Coverage skills are necessary when playing zone http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/c.j.-anderson-jersey-authentic , but so are tackling skills especially when the defense keeps things underneath. He has to do better. Of course, these issues compounded themselves when he jumped on an underneath route in cover 3 against Pittsburgh. He has to guard the deep sideline and trust his linebackers to protect the flats. He doesn’t, which leads to a long touchdown and Carolina essentially losing any momentum. The issues weren’t isolated to Bradberry though. Donte Jackson has been a standout this season, but he is responsible for this coverage bust. He is expected to carry any receiver on the sideline, which he doesn’t. The Panthers are playing man coverage http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/wes-horton-jersey-authentic , but a simple adjustment to this route concept would have prevented a touchdown. The concept is called “banjo” which I wrote about a year ago. The concept involves matching or passing off receivers to prevent pick routes. The Steelers have a great offense. That’s not a hot take. The issue, however, is the defensive call that allows Antonio Brown a free release downfield. Any defensive play call that has Mike Adams matched up against Brown on a deep post is the wrong one. Most of the issues aren’t coaching or play call related, but plays like Brown’s deep reception are a result of poor calls. After New Orleans decimated Carolina in the regular season, I went into why Sean Payton consistently runs circles around Carolina’s defense. These currentproblems will be further exposed against the Saints in about a month. I have no reason to believe this current crop of talent or coaching will change things in season.