CHARLOTTE – A day after he was promoted to the active roster, quarterback Tommy Stevens is active against the Saints.
The storyline adds some potential spice to the season finale since Stevens, who played quarterback at Penn State and Mississippi State, was drafted as a tight end by the Saints late in this spring's draft. After he spent the first half of the year on the New Orleans practice squad, he was released in November. The Panthers then picked him up and put them on their practice squad. If he plays Sunday, the multi-dimensional Stevens could line up in multiple spots.
As far as inactives go, there are no real surprises. Defensive end Brian Burns (shoulder), left tackle Russell Okung (calf) and running backs Christian McCaffrey (thigh) and Mike Davis (ankle) were not expected to play.
Without McCaffrey and Davis, the Panthers' backfield will feature young running backs Rodney Smith and Trenton Cannon, plus wide receiver Curtis Samuel and fullback Alex Armah.
Michael Schofield will start in place of Okung.
Inactives:
Panthers
- QB Will Grier
- RB Christian McCaffrey
- RB Mike Davis
- LT Russell Okung
- DE Brian Burns
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
- DB Natrell Jamerson
View photos of player arrivals as the Panthers prepare to take on the Saints at 4:25 p.m. ET on FOX.
