Reeder's Take

   Panthers FB Brad Hoover (ankle) has been ruled out of Sunday’s game against New Orleans.

   Coach John Fox has WR Muhsin Muhammad (knee), FS Charles Godfrey (ankle), TE Dante Rosario (knee),   and FB Tony Fiammetta (concussion) are listed as questionable, although it’s unlikely any of four guys will play since none have practiced all week. In fact, I’d be surprised if any of those four make the trip to New Orleans.

   The big question mark will be K John Kasay (knee)  (groin), who really is 50-50 with a tight groin. If he can’t go, then Rhys Lloyd will get a chance to kick field goals and extra points.

   Also, LB Landon Johnson (shoulder) and RB Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) are questionable, although they practiced full for the second straight day. Both of those guys should play.

   QB Jake Delhomme (chest) practiced for the third straight day and will play Sunday, although he’s listed as probable on the injury report.

   The Carolina Panthers are keeping quiet about their plans on who’ll be the starting fullback Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

   Fullback Brad Hoover admitted what we already knew — that he won’t play this week and that he’ll have a cast on his ankle for another week or so. And given that backup Tony Fiammetta likely won’t play after sustaining a concussion last week against the Arizona Cardinals, the Panthers will have to use a player who’s never played fullback before when they face the Saints Sunday.

   But for now, coach John Fox is going to keep the Saints guessing.

   –In other injury news, WR Muhsin Muhammad said he has a sprained MCL in his knee. He wouldn’t say how long he’ll be out, but a similar injury kept Jon Beason returned from his in about 20 days and Thomas Davis came back after about four weeks, although he wasn’t in as big of a rush considering it was still training camp.

   “The knee will tell me when it’s ready,” Muhammad said.

   –Defensive end Charles Johnson might just be the strongest guy on the team. He said he can bench-press over 500 pounds. Johnson is learning how to use his strength to his advantage, which is really helping with his pass rush this season.

   We’ll have more on all of this in the notebook a little later on…

   Carolina Panthers PK John Kasay was held out of practice Thursday with a left groin pull. His status for Sunday is uncertain.

   In other injury news, RB Jonathan Stewart and LB Landon Johnson returned to practice, but FB Brad Hoover, FB Tony Fiammetta, WR Muhsin Muhammad, TE Dante Rosario and FS Charles Godfrey missed their second straight of practice, meaning there’s a good chance they won’t play this week.

   No surprise here, but defensive end Julius Peppers has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against the Cardinals in which he had a sack, forced fumble and an interception return for a touchdown in Carolina’s 34-21 win.

It is Peppers’ third Defensive Player of the Week award. He also earned it in Week 10 last year with a three-sack, two-forced fumble day at Oakland and in Week 10 of the 2006 season, when he had three sacks and a fumble recovery in a Monday Night Football win over Tampa Bay.

Since the bye week, Peppers has six sacks, two forced fumbles and the interception return for a score.

Peppers credits familiarity with Ron Meeks’ defense as a key reason for the overall improved play of the defense.

“Everybody’s getting a little more familiar with the responsibilities in what we’re supposed to be doing, and it’s leading to a better performance by the group,” Peppers said.

Jake Delhomme practiced full today.

Seven Panthers didn’t practice including FBs Brad Hoover and Tony Fiammetta, WR Muhsin Muhammad, FS Charles Godfrey, LB Landon Johnson, TE Dante Rosario, and RB Jonathan Stewart.

Some quick notes from Monday’s press conference with John Fox:

–The Panthers reported three injuries from Sunday’s game – FB Brad Hoover (sprained ankle), FB Tony Fiammetta (head) and QB Jake Delhomme (chest). Coach John Fox said their status will be updated on Wednesday when the team returns to practice. Fox didn’t describe the nature of Delhomme’s chest injury, but said the veteran quarterback was feeling “good.”

   “I talked to him this morning and he was in watching tape. I think he has some soreness, but he feels good,” Fox said.

   –When asked if the Panthers might consider signing a fullback this week with the injuries to Hoover and Fiammetta, Fox said that is something that will be determined later in the week once they get a better handle on the injuries to Hoover and Fiammetta.

   –When asked if he thinks the Cardinals game can get the Panthers jump-started this season, Fox said. “At this point, I think that should do something to boost our confidence.”

   –The Panthers came into Sunday’s game minus-14 in the takeaway-giveaway category, but were a plus-6 against Arizona. “I’m not much into statistic, but that was a big (statistic) to get turned around. I think that’s helpful especially as we prepare to play a very good New Orleans team at their place.”

   –Sherrod Martin had two interceptions on Sunday, which is twice as many as Charles Godfrey had in 22 previous starts. When asked if Godfrey will get his starting job back when he returns from an ankle injury, Fox replied as first replied that will be evaluated on a ”day-to-day” basis. When asked what exactly that means, Fox said, “Basically, I’m not going to answer that (question).” It looks like Godfrey could be out a while, so the Panthers will likely cross that bridge when they come to it. But clearly Martin added something to the defense.

   we’ll have more later…

   Lost in the craziness of Sunday’s game was the fact that DeAngelo Williams surpassed DeShaun Foster to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. Williams now has 3,352, breaking the record previously held by Foster, who had 3,336 yards.

   Carolina rookie FS Sherrod Martin has second interception of the game, coming off a tipped ball. Chris Gamble got a hit on Arizona receiver Jerheme Urban and the ball popped loose and Martin came around to pick it off. Gamble seemed a bit shaken up on the play.

   That led to a 35-yard field goal by John Kasay, making it a three-possession game at 31-14

   The Panthers have now picked off Warner four times. Martin has two, and Julius Peppers and Thomas Davis each have one.

   –The Cardinals have benefitted from a pass interference penalty on Chris Gamble and have cut the lead to 31-21.

   –The Panthers have put Matt Moore back in the game. Apparently the chest injury has become too painful for Delhomme to go. There is 8:45 left in the game. Look for the Panthers to keep running the ball.

   –Backup FB Tony Fiammetta has left the field, following Brad Hoover to the locker room.

   –Julius Peppers is having a huge Pro Bowl type game. He just stripped Kurt Warner from behind and Tyler Brayton recovered. The Cardinals are challenging the play with 7:02 left in the game. The Panthers have won the challenge and will keep the ball. Equally as important, the Cardinals just burned their final timeout.

   –Jake Delhomme has been taken to the locker room. Moore will have to take the Panthers home today. He has a 10-point lead and the ball with 7:02 to play.

   –Cardinals fans have apparently given up — they’re streaming toward the exits right now.

   –DeAngelo Williams just had a huge run on third-and-8. That will allow the Panthers to run valuable time off the clock. The Panthers aren’t going to allow Matt Moore to throw the football right now.

   –The Panthers have run 40 times for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Nice effort against the league’s top-ranked run defense.

   –I’m heading down the locker room with two minutes to go and the Panthers leading 34-21. Check back with us in a bit for full post-game coverage from Arizona.

   FB Brad Hoover injured his right ankle and is done for the day, the team just announced. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious, but it doesn’t look good for the Hoov. With him out the Panthers are mostly using one-back sets instead of backup FB Tony Fiammetta.

   Arizona put together an 11-play, 67-yard touchdown drive to cut Carolina’s lead to 28-14. Warner threw to Ben Patrick for the score. Right now the Cards have the momentum.

   –Jake Delhomme is down on the turf. Hard to tell what happened but he was hit by Darnell Dockett while trying to make a play. He’s been replaced by Matt Moore. Delhomme is now being looked at on the sidelines.

   –Delhomme has a chest injury. His return is questionable.

   –Delhomme is back in.

   –Now FB Brad Hoover has left the game. It appears to be an ankle injury. Hoover has just been carted to the locker room. This one doesn’t look good. He appears in a lot of pain. That’s not good news for a running game that has been outstanding today. It looks like his right ankle or leg.

   –The Panthers lead 28-14 at the end of the third quarter.