Na'il Diggs News

Halfway through a Pro Bowl-caliber season, one of the Carolina Panthers' most physical and important defensive players has been felled by a noncontact injury.

The Carolina Panthers announced on Monday that linebacker Thomas Davis suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

For all the plays Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers made last week, there's a sense among those around him that they're only seeing the beginning of what he could do.

Captain Munnerlyn, the Carolina Panthers' loquacious rookie defensive back, can't remember who it was he was talking to last week.

Carolina Panthers' Sherrod Martin picks off a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals' Jerheme Urban , who had the ball knocked loose by Carolina Panthers' Chris Gamble, in the 4th quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium.

CHARLOTTE Julius Peppers doesn't say much and he'll never be misconstrued as a rah-rah type of guy.

The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 28-21. JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com http://media.charlotteobserver.com/smedia/2009/10/18/21/PanthersBucs_34.embedded.prod_affiliate.138.JPG 408 10/18/09 Carolina Panthers injured quarterback Josh McCown puts his arm around wide receiver Steve Smith as he walks back onto the field for another series ...

Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis missed practice Friday with a hamstring injury and is questionable for Sunday's game against Buffalo.

CHARLOTTE After three games, there were plenty of questions about the effectiveness of defensive coordinator Ron Meeks' new scheme.

CHARLOTTE Carolina Panthers coach John Fox made it pretty clear he's not worried about quarterback Jake Delhomme, even though he's tied for the league lead in interceptions with 10.

The only mild surprise on the Panthers' injury report today was that kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd didn't participate.

If Jon Beason got to keep the stats, the Carolina Panthers would be undefeated, and they'd have the league's best defense.

There are reasons for Carolina to feel confident. The dominant running game from 2008 has reappeared, Julius Peppers is on perhaps the best two-game stretch of his career and the Panthers have won two straight after an 0-3 start.

They're kidding, right? Tell me the Las Vegas oddsmakers are playing tricks with us by installing the 1-3 Carolina Panthers as a three-point 'chalk' at Tampa Bay.

Carolina Panthers coach John Fox firmly denied a report on the Fox Sports Web site which said he'd told friends and some close acquaintances that he expected to be fired at the end of the season.

The smile on Chris Harris' face is back, which can only mean his return to the football field is imminent.

The Carolina Panthers looked like a different defense Sunday. That's good, because they came in as one of the league's worst.

ASSOCIATED PRESS MIKE CRANSTON AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE -- At this rate you'd expect the Redskins' next opponent will be a directional school, or maybe even a Championship Subdivision team.

The big guy the Panthers need to help fix their run defense was back on the practice field Thursday.

Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart is questionable for Sunday's game against Washington, while kickoff returner Mike Goodson won't play.