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As has become customary the past three weeks, the Carolina Panthers may be without Geoff Hangartner, Jonathan Stewart and James Anderson on Sunday.
The three starters are listed as questionable for Carolina’s game at New Orleans on Sunday, and Stewart and Hangartner did not participate in Friday’s practice.
Stewart, the team’s starting running back, has missed the past four games with a high ankle sprain. He practiced Wednesday but suffered a setback and has not seen the practice field since.
Anderson has been inactive the past three weeks after the strongside linebacker injured his back following the Kansas City game, but he practiced both Thursday and Friday.
Jeff Byers would be the team’s starting center for a third consecutive game if Hangartner is unable to go with a sprained foot. Thomas Austin will get the start at left guard no matter if Hangartner is back or not.
Rookie Amini Silatolu vacated the position after dislocating his wrist, and coach Ron Rivera said Austin is more ready to go at left guard than Byers.
“We would still go with Austin at the left guard first because he’s gotten most of the reps, where Jeff Byers has gotten almost all his reps at center,” Rivera said.
Also questionable for Sunday is punt returner Joe Adams, who hurt his ankle in last week’s win against Oakland.
Defensive end Greg Hardy missed a second day of practice dealing with a family issue, Rivera said. He went to a team meeting on Friday but did not participate. Rivera said Hardy will play Sunday.
Good Guy Award: The Carolinas chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America selected Anderson as the winner of this year’s Tom Berry Good Guy Award.
The award, named after a former Panthers beat writer, is given annually to the Panthers player local writers believe has been most helpful to the media.
Anderson was the unanimous choice for the award, which has been given since 2009. Last year, cornerback Captain Munnerlyn received the award.
