–Running back Christian McCaffrey is shaping up as perhaps becoming only the sixth 1,000-yard rusher for the Panthers in team history. He has 863 yards on the ground through 12 games after his 106-yard outing at Tampa Bay.
Despite McCaffrey’s success on the ground, that aspect was nearly abandoned at times at Tampa Bay.
“(Offensive coordinator Norv Turner) is going to call what he believes is the best for our offense,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “I support his play-calling 100 percent.”
Last week’s outing also included 55 receiving yards for McCaffrey. He became the first player in NFL history with five consecutive games of at least 50 rushing and 50 receiving yards.
–Quarterback Cam Newton’s shoulder soreness is flaring up again. He wasn’t able to get a Hail Mary pass to the end zone on what appeared to be the game’s final play at Tampa Bay. An offsides penalty gave Carolina another chance, and Taylor Heinicke came on to make that unsuccessful heave.
“When you throw as many passes as he did (41 at Tampa Bay) that is going to happen,” head coach Ron Rivera said.
Newton has declined to go into detail about this ailing shoulder’s impact on his play.
Regarding the loss at Tampa Bay, it was the four interceptions that he threw that was most disturbing to him.
“I take this one personal because I keep running off the field in embarrassment,” Newton said of throwing the pickoffs. “Knowing that you’re leaving because of your mishaps.”
–Tight end Greg Olsen’s frustration with another injury, this one apparently ending his season, has been evident. The latest setback came Sunday at Tampa Bay.
“I ruptured the planta fascia,” Olsen said. “The plantar fascia on the bottom of my foot popped. It has been something we’ve dealt when since I’ve come back (from a foot injury earlier in the season).”
With the team in the four-game slide, this was about the last news it needed. Olsen is the team’s all-time leader in catches and receiving yards among tight ends.
“There were some things that were put in for him and unfortunately we lost Greg,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “I thought Ian (Thomas) got in and made some plays.”
Quarterback Cam Newton had to turn to Thomas, a rookie, earlier this season as well.
“We have strong beliefs in Ian and knowing what he’s capable of,” Newton said. “Just getting him comfortable, that’s what it pretty much comes down to.”
BY THE NUMBERS: 0 – That’s the number of Carolina players who’ll be in uniform Sunday at Cleveland who were responsible for 18 receptions in the 2014 matchup with the Browns. Seven players made catches for the Panthers that day, and the only one on this year’s roster is TE Greg Olsen, who’s out with another foot injury.
