CHARLOTTE – The Carolina Panthers' black-on-black look that won an NFL.com contest as the "Greatest Uniform in NFL History" will have another chance to get in the win column Sunday.
The Panthers will wear black pants with their black jerseys for just the third time Sunday when the New York Jets visit Bank of America Stadium. They previously sported the look in the regular season last year against Denver and in the preseason this year at Philadelphia.
"They say, 'If you look good, you play good,' " cornerback Captain Munnerlyn said. "And it got voted the best in the NFL. That's a good thing."
In a 64-uniform bracket contest over the summer on NFL.com, the Panthers' all-black look came out on top. The uniform was wildly popular among players as well when it debuted against Denver, but now the Panthers hope to associate winning on the field with the look, which will again be accented by blue socks.
The Panthers will wear black jerseys again in their regular-season home finale next week versus New Orleans, but no plans are in place for them to wear black pants for a second consecutive week. The Panthers traditionally wear silver pants with their black jerseys.
HEALING UP: The Panthers continued to get good news on the injury front Thursday.
Guard Chris Scott, who has missed five consecutive games with a knee injury, fully participated in practice for the first time since the injury. Head coach Ron Rivera said that Scott, who had returned to practice Wednesday with limited participation, could get back in the rotation upon his return.
"I'm pretty excited," Rivera said. "He did a nice job. That's very, very encouraging as we go forward."
Linebacker and special teams stalwart Jordan Senn, who missed last week's game, missed practice Thursday but actually took a step toward playing again.
"The hamstring is better, but he was sick," Rivera explained. "He was ill this morning, and (head athletic trainer) Ryan (Vermillion) didn't want him to spread it among his teammates, so we sent him home."
The only other player who did not practice was running back Jonathan Stewart, though he got some work done inside as he recovers from a knee injury that will sideline him this Sunday.
NATE LOOKING GREAT: Rivera said that when Scott returns, Nate Chandler will remain the starter at right guard. Chandler, who had been a backup tackle before Scott's injury, said he's becoming a better player each week in part by focusing on three points of emphasis leading up to each game.
"I usually try to have three points a week, my emphasis on what I want to try to work on," Chandler said. "If I messed up on something and we have the same look this week, I really think it over. I want to be fluent in what I'm doing.
"Every rep I get, I try to get better. And the more I'm playing, the more experience I have and the more comfortable I feel."
NEWTON'S HEISMAN POSE: The winner of the Heisman Trophy will be revealed Saturday, but quarterback Cam Newton – who has a vote by virtue of winning the honor at Auburn in 2010 – isn't ready to reveal who he voted for.
Newton was asked about Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston but also mentioned Auburn running back Tre Mason and Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, who won the award last year.
"I've talked to Jameis. He's a great guy," Newton said. "There's also Tre Mason. What that guy just did in the SEC championship game (304 rushing yards) was ridiculous – 'War Eagle' to that.
"It's very personal. With me knowing Jameis and Tre and having talked to Johnny Football, it was a pretty hard pick."
