“That really doesn’t affect me, man. It’s another week.”

Head coach Ron Rivera said he’s been pleased with how his team has approached the final week of practice knowing there’s no postseason for the Panthers.

“You really want to come out and play them the best you can because of what we’re trying to build and the attitude we’re trying to have. To lose now would be disappointing,” Rivera said.

“I think our guys have done a nice job. They’ve practiced well. I’m pretty excited about that, especially going into the last game … just trying to get them to understand we can make an impact in the playoffs. We may not be in but we can certainly impact them.”

RIVERA ON WILSON: After learning more details surrounding the reported theft of four guns from the car of special teams player Kion Wilson this week, Rivera said he hopes similar situations can be avoided in the future.

“I’m satisfied. Obviously, you don’t want anybody having guns or anything like that,” Rivera said.

“The explanation I got was a sensible one. I think he understands. He knows better. Hopefully we won’t have that issue reoccur with anybody.”

INJURY UPDATE: Rivera said an extra day between games should help defensive end Charles Johnson who has been limited by a back injury in recent weeks. Johnson missed practice again Thursday but hopes to play Sunday.

Because of the back problem, Johnson was used primarily on third down against Tampa Bay last Saturday.

“This week having the extra day has done him some good. We just want to be careful. We can afford to be patient with him,” Rivera said.

Defensive tackle Andre Neblett missed practice again Thursday as did safety Jordan Pugh due to concussion symptoms. Safety Charles Godfrey (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis. Offensive tackle Travelle Wharton was excused from practice Thursday for personal reasons.

If Neblett is unable to play, he will be replaced by Ogemdi Nwagbuo.

KICKING UPDATE: Rivera said he is pleased with how kicker Olindo Mare has responded to the competition with Adi Kunalic in practice. Kunalic was added to the roster earlier this month after Mare missed a critical field goal against Atlanta.

Mare has kept the placekicking job, making field goals of 19 and 21 yards against the Bucs last week.

“I think he’s handled it very well,” Rivera said. “I think bringing Adi back has maybe helped him to refocus. The intent is this is a guy we liked, Adi, coming out of camp and we’re trying to keep him. We just couldn’t. Now we thought, just bring him and work the competition.”

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The Panthers have placed starting cornerback Captain Munnerlyn on injured reserve with a strained left hamstring.

Munnerlyn, a former Murphy High School standout, was injured on Sunday against the Houston Texans and had to leave the game.

Darius Butler, acquired off waivers earlier this season from the Patriots, will start Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Ron Rivera said.

R.J Stanford will be the team’s nickel back.

Munnerlyn had started all 14 games for the Panthers.

The Panthers signed cornerback Jonathan Nelson from the practice squad to take his place.

The Panthers are also likely to be without starting strong safety Charles Godfrey, who is out with a strained right shoulder. He’s listed as doubtful after missing practice again on Friday. If Godfrey can’t start, then Jordan Pugh will get the nod.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Slowing down running back Michael Turner has never been an easy task for the Carolina Panthers.

But it might be even more difficult to put the clamps on him in Sunday’s divisional rematch against the Atlanta Falcons (7-5) with both starting defensive tackles moving to injured reserve.

The Panthers were hurting from injuries on defence even before losing rookies tackles Sione Fua and Terrell McClain for the year on Tuesday. They’ll be counting on second-year player Andre Neblett and undrafted rookie Frank Kearse to plug the middle and keep Turner from running wild — again.

Turner has destroyed the Panthers since joining the Falcons as unrestricted free agent in 2008, running for 651 yards and scored 11 touchdowns in his last six games.

“It kind of takes the wind out of your sails a little bit,” Rivera said of the injuries to Fua and McClain. “They both hit the rookie wall a few weeks ago and recovered and starting playing well again. It was disappointing.”

Fua suffered a significant right hamstring strain prior to Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay and didn’t play. McClain sprained his left knee during the first half and did not return.

Rivera said it’s unclear if either will need surgery.

“It’s a shame because just as Fua and McClain were learning and growing and finally realizing where they need to be something like this happens,” said linebacker James Anderson. “But that’s been the story of the season.”

The Panthers, who have 14 players on injured reserve, have learned time and time again the lesson of “the next guy up.”

In this case it will be Kearse, signed off Miami’s practice squad earlier in the year, and Neblett, who has bounced back from a slow start this season to play extremely well. Rivera said Kearse will start at nose tackle for Fua, while Neblett will play the three-technique in the team’s 4-3 defence.

“I have to do the same thing I’ve been doing, now I just have to do it as a starter,” Neblett said.

Said Rivera: “I’m excited to see what they can do.”

The Falcons are coming off a big loss last week against Houston and need to make a strong push the final four weeks of the season if they hope to return to the NFC playoffs beginning with Sunday’s game.

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has seen what Turner can do to the Panthers and expects they’ll lean heavily on him again this week.

In Atlanta’s 31-17 win over the Carolina in October at the Georgia Dome Turner ran for 139 yards and scored twice

“He’s going to be real big, especially this week,” White said. “He’s had a lot of success against these guys. We always get off to a good start and get the ball in his hands. He opens up the play action pass for us. In this game, it’s really crucial to get him off to a really, really good start, just let him pound those guys for a little while then throw it over their heads. He’s going to be a real focal point this week.

Then White added with a smile, “Hey, we might run it 50 times. I don’t know if he’s going to have 50 carries, but we might run it 50 times.”

In the past six games against the Panthers, Turner has eclipsed 100 yards rushing in five games.

“I don’t know what it is about Carolina,” Turner said. “It always seems like we’re playing them coming off a loss. We lost last week, so we’ve got to go out there and play hard.

Turner said there’s no extra added personal motivation in playing Carolina, adding that he’s simply doing his job.

But Turner is certainly aware of how well he’s run against the Panthers since coming to Atlanta.

So too are the Panthers.

“He’s a big physical back and we know we have to come ready to play, similar to what we did last week,” Neblett said.

A week ago the Panthers held Tampa Bay’s LaGarrette Blount to 19 yards on 11 carries in part because they jumped out to an early lead.

That’s something the Panthers may need to replicate against the Falcons.

Rivera said the key for the team’s new defensive tackles will be to stay in their gaps and not try to do too much.

“He has a great low centre of gravity and runs with his shoulders over his knees and his pad level down,” Rivera said of Turner. “The big thing with him is you can’t allow him to get started because he is tough to bring down. And they have a good scheme and block it very well.”

Notes: Rivera gave a pair of veterans — wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Jeremy Shockey — Wednesday off to rest. Also, free safety Charles Godfrey (sprained right shoulder), Travelle Wharton (back), offensive Jordan Gross (right ankle), tight end Greg Olsen (right knee) and linebacker Jason Phillips (right calf) sat out practice, although none of the injuries appear serious. … Kick returner Kealoha Pilares practiced full after missing last week’s game with a strained right quadriceps.

___

AP Sports Writer Paul Newberry in Flowery Branch, Ga., contributed to this report.

When the Carolina Panthers made Cam Newton the first pick of
the 2011 NFL Draft last April, not many would’ve thought the Indianapolis Colts
would get the next crack at No. 1.

But that’s precisely the way it’s worked out in America’s heartland, where the
injury absence of another former top overall choice, Peyton Manning, has the
Colts presently sitting two games ahead of the pack for the right to select
first in next April’s draft.

The frenzy for that top pick speaks volumes about the long-term job security of
post-Manning incumbent Curtis Painter, who’ll make his eighth consecutive start
this Sunday when Indianapolis hosts Newton and the Panthers at Lucas Oil
Stadium.

Having taken a week off since a 17-3 loss to visiting Jacksonville on Nov. 13,
the Colts hope to sidestep their first 0-11 start since 1986, while the
Panthers seek to end a 12-game road skid.

The Colts are 13-9 all-time after a bye week.

Painter has been the man in Indianapolis since free-agent pickup Kerry Collins
suffered a season-ending concussion on Sept. 25. He’s completed 55.2 percent of
his passes with five touchdowns — but none since October — with seven
interceptions.

The Colts have just 398 total yards and 10 points in their last two games.

“I think everybody’s a little disappointed with the season,” Painter said. “I
think, looking at myself, I’m just disappointed in the last couple of games and
kind of how I’ve performed. I know that I need to continue to improve and get
better.

“I think we’re all a little disappointed, but we’ll keep fighting for sure.”

Though Painter was relieved by Dan Orlovsky in the last two pre-bye games, head
coach Jim Caldwell nonetheless gave Painter a vote of confidence as his starter
as the franchise counts down the days to its shot at Stanford quarterback and
presumed draft-day savior Andrew Luck.

“The bottom line is that if the right person is there, and it has to be the
right person, then now is the time to make that choice,” Colts general manager
Bill Polian said of the prospects of possibly being in position to take Luck.

The Panthers were in similarly dire straits in their last season before
Newton’s arrival, going 2-14 and ranking last in the league with an average of
258.4 total yards per game. They’re just 2-8 through 10 games this year, but
have instead been suffering on defense, having allowed 79 points over the last
two weeks.

They gave up 35 points in the second half of last week’s 49-35 loss to Detroit.

“You play the second half the way we did, you’re going to get beat,” head coach
Ron Rivera said.

Carolina’s defensive pressure on Painter could be impacted if end Charles
Johnson is unable to play with a shoulder injury. He has seven of the team’s 19
sacks. Indianapolis, meanwhile, is tied with Tampa Bay for the second-fewest
sacks in the league with 15.

Newton ran for two scores against the Lions and has a rookie quarterback-record
nine rushing touchdowns. The league mark of 12 by a signal-caller was set by
New England’s Steve Grogan in 1976.

SERIES HISTORY

Sunday’s matchup marks the fifth all-time meeting between the Panthers and
Colts, with Carolina winning the first three games in the series prior to being
dealt a 31-7 home loss by Indianapolis in 2007. The Panthers are 2-0 against
the Colts in Indianapolis in their history, following up a 27-19 victory at the
RCA Dome in 1999 with a 23-20 overtime triumph there in 2003.

Both Rivera and Caldwell will be facing one another, as well as their
counterpart’s respective team, for the first time as head coaches.

WHEN THE PANTHERS HAVE THE BALL

In four road starts, Newton has passed for 1,313 yards (328.3 per game) with
four touchdowns while rushing for 137 yards and six touchdowns. He ranks sixth
in the NFL with 2,885 passing yards and is third in the league with nine
rushing touchdowns. Running back DeAngelo Williams has 16 career 100-yard rush
games and when he has 18 or more carries, the Panthers are 15-3. When running
back Jonathan Stewart has 15-plus attempts, meanwhile, the team is 14-3. Wide
receiver Steve Smith leads the NFC with 992 receiving yards and in his past
four games on the road, has 26 catches for 466 yards (116.5 per game) and three
touchdowns. In his only game at Indianapolis in 2003, Smith had six catches for
103 yards and a touchdown. Rookie wide receiver/kick returner Kealoha Pilares
had a 101-yard return for a touchdown last week, the longest in team history.
Tight end Jeremy Shockey aims for a fourth game in a row against Indianapolis,
including the postseason, with 100-plus receiving yards or a touchdown catch,
and is expected to play after missing the Detroit game with a rib injury.

Colts end Dwight Freeney needs 1 1/2 sacks to become the 26th player with 100
in his career since the stat became official in 1982, while fellow end Robert
Mathis needs 1 1/2 sacks to reach 80 for his career. Cornerback Jerraud Powers
aims for a third consecutive game with an interception, while second-season
middle linebacker Pat Angerer has a team-high 105 tackles and a forced fumble.

Statistically speaking, Carolina is 18th in scoring offense (22.5 ppg), fifth
in total yards (400.9 ypg), ninth in passing (272.2 ypg) and seventh in rushing
(128.7 ypg). Defensively, the Colts are dead last in points allowed (30.0 ppg),
29th in total yards allowed (390.6 ypg), 22nd against the pass (245.0 ypg) and
31st against the run (145.6 ypg).

WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL

Painter had a career-high 281 passing yards against an NFC South opponent
(Tampa Bay) in October and tied a career-best with two touchdown passes in that
game. Running back Joseph Addai had 100 rushing yards with three touchdowns (2
rushing, 1 receiving) in his only game against the Panthers, but is
questionable with a lingering hamstring injury. Rookie running back Delone
Carter, a fourth-round selection in this past draft, ranks second in the AFC
among rookies with 327 rushing yards, trailing only Miami’s Daniel Thomas
(406). Wide receiver Reggie Wayne needs eight catches to have at least 50
receptions for a ninth consecutive season. In two career games against
Carolina, Wayne had 11 receptions for 239 yards (21.7-yard average) with two
touchdowns. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon (621 receiving yards) needs 164
receiving yards to surpass his career-best of 784 in 2010. Tight end Jacob
Tamme had season-bests in catches (6) and receiving yards (75) in Indianapolis’
Week 9 loss to Jacksonville.

For the Carolina defense, Johnson has 15 sacks in his past 17 games and rookie
end Thomas Keiser had two sacks last week, the first two of his career.
Linebacker James Anderson had an interception in the Week 11 loss, while strong
safety Charles Godfrey has 56 tackles and two interceptions on the season.

By the numbers, the Colts are 30th in scoring (13.1 ppg), 31st in total yards
(275.7 ypg), 30th in passing (177.3 ypg) and 25th in rushing (98.4 ypg). On
defense, the Panthers are second-to-last in points allowed (28.6 ppg), 27th in
total yards (374.8 ypg), 17th against the pass (234.1 ypg) and 30th against the
run (140.7 ypg).

KEYS TO THE GAME

Newton has been the real deal throughout his rookie season and could be
prolific against an opponent who’s had difficult times pressuring quarterbacks
and keeping teams off the scoreboard. The rookie sensation did throw four
interceptions last week, however, and will need to cut down on his mistakes to
give the Panthers their best chance.

The Panthers have been especially successful in games where Williams has gotten
a lot of carries, which looks possible against a team ranked second-to-last in
the league against the run.

Generating offense on the ground could be an approach for the Colts as well,
with Addai (if healthy) and Carter facing a Carolina defensive unit that’s just
30th in the league against the run. With the way Painter has struggled, that
might be the best philosophy to take as well.

OVERALL ANALYSIS

Ten games into the post-Manning apocalypse, the Colts have reached the
inglorious homestretch in the “Suck for Luck” sweepstakes. And while they’re
not markedly inferior to the Panthers across the board, there’s little doubt
that the best active player on either team is Newton. That fact should be the
tie-breaker in a close game where each side accentuates the other’s weaknesses.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Panthers 21, Colts 17

©2011 Sports Network. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

As the Detroit Lions prepare to host Carolina Sunday, here are some facts you need to know about each team.

PANTHERS

Offense averaging 400 yards per game (258.4 last year)
Rookie QB Cam Newton has four games with 290+ yards, tied with Peyton Manning (1998) for most by rookie in NFL history. He has the third most rushing TDs (seven) in the NFL. His seven rushing TDs ties Vince Young (2006) for most in season by rookie QB since 1970. In three road games, Newton has passed for 1,033 yards (344.3 per game) & three TDs with 100 rush yards & 4 TDs
In last meeting, RB Jonathan Stewart had 15 attempts, 130 yards (9.7 average) and one TD.
RB De’Angelo Williams had 14 attempts, 120 yards (8.6 avg) and two touchdowns in the last meeting.
WR Steve Smith leads NFC with 951 receiving yards. In past three road games, he has 21 catches for 425 yards (141.7 per game) and two TDs. Previously against Detroit, he had six catches for 123 yards (20.5 avg.) one one TD (80 yards).
TE Greg Olsen had a touchdown catch in four of the past seven games.
DE Charles Johnson 15 sacks in past 16.
S Charles Godfrey had an interception and fumble recovery in the previous meeting.

LIONS

Team is outscoring opp. 156-66 after halftime.
In the second half/OT, QB Matthew Stafford is tied for third in the NFL with 12 passing touchdowns … Lions are 6-0 when Stafford has 100+ passer rating … In past 8 at home, Stafford has three games with four-or-more TD passes
RB Jahvid Best has 405 scrimmage yards (135 per game; 257 rush, 148 rec) and three TDs (two rushing, one receiving) in three home games this year.
WR Calvin Johnson leads NFL with 11 TD catches. Since start of 2008, has 40 receiving touchdowns, most in NFL. Johnson said for his eighth game in a row with five-or-more catches and 80-or-more yards (he had 100+ yards in five of past seven games). Needs 115 yards for third career season with 1,000+ yards and 10 TDs.
WR Titus Young ranks third among NFC rookies with 349 rec. yards.
WR Nate Burleson had eight catches for 83 yards last week.
TE Tony Scheffller aims for third game in a row with a touchdown catch.
DE Cliff Avril aims for fourth game in row with sack. Has four sacks and three forced fumbles.
CB Chris Houston leads NFL with two interceptions returned for touchdowns (100 and 56 yards).
DE Lawrence Jackson aims for fourth game in a row with 0.5-or-more sacks. He has 3.5 sacks & fumble recovery in past three games.