CHARLOTTE – Defensive end Antwan Applewhite (thigh) has been ruled out for Sunday's game at Chicago and defensive end Thomas Keiser (elbow) is doubtful.
As a result, rookie defensive lineman Nate Chandler has been added to the 53-man roster from the team's practice squad. Chandler – an undrafted free agent out of UCLA – is listed as a defensive tackle, but he will play defensive end in light of Applewhite and Keiser's injuries.
"Nate has the ability to play defensive end for us and that's what he's been working at since Wednesday," head coach Ron Rivera said. "This is a young man that has that versatility."
To make room for Chandler on the active roster, the Panthers waived defensive tackle Frank Kearse.
Kearse played in three games and was inactive for three others, notching two tackles.
RB ROTATION: Running back Jonathan Stewart will start for the second straight game, while running back DeAngelo Williams is expected to get more work than the two carries he received last week.
Rivera hopes to give his running backs the necessary time to get into the flow of the game.
"I want to see one guy pound and get a rhythm -- he gets tired and get the other guy in," Rivera explained. "Pound and get a rhythm. It's hard for a back to get a rhythm when you are coming out every other series.
"We want a guy to develop a rhythm, and if he gets hot, ride him."
BELL SHIFTS BACK: Byron Bell is moving back to right tackle after sliding over to right guard last week against Dallas.
"We are going to put Byron Bell back at his comfortable spot," Rivera said, pointing out that the Cowboys' scheme played a role in Bell's position switch.
"When you have Byron at his comfortable spot and Jordan (Gross) at his comfortable spot, you don't have to help those guys."
GETTIS NOT QUITE READY: Wide receiver David Gettis will not be activated for Sunday's game but will likely join the 53-man roster next week.
"We are not going to take him off PUP this week. We are going to give him one more good week of work," Rivera said. "There is so much that he's got to grasp, and you can still see he's a little hesitant. As we get into next week, we'll go ahead and make a decision, but he's more than likely going to be active."
If the Panthers activate Gettis from PUP, the team will have to make a corresponding roster move.
