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NEW ORLEANS -- Much of the intrigue before Sunday's Carolina Panthers-New Orleans Saints game at the Superdome focused on whether Panthers kicker John Kasay would play or not.
Kasay, who injured his groin last week, had been listed as questionable but ended up playing. He kicked field goals of 32 and 25 yards and also had two extra points. Kasay hasn't missed a game since 2004.
Briefly
Returning kickoffs continued to perplex the Panthers. On the opening kick, New Orleans' Thomas Morstead kicked a high short one to the Panthers' Jeff King. Deep man Michael Goodson also tried to catch it and ran into King's back. King held on, returning it 12 yards to the 25.
New Orleans cornerback Tracy Porter was penalized for a personal foul in the second quarter when he hit Panthers receiver Steve Smith out of bounds. Porter appeared to be going for his knees, too, which drew the ire of Smith and several of his teammates.
New Orleans' normally sure-handed Marques Colston dropped two easy passes late in the second quarter, but then kept the drive alive with a 45-yard reception. He also couldn't hang on to one as he tumbled out of the end zone in the fourth quarter, although the Saints unsuccessfully challenged the call.
The Panthers' inactives included four players who stayed home with injuries: fullback Brad Hoover (ankle), receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee), tight end Dante Rosario (knee) and free safety Charles Godfrey (ankle).
Other inactives were fullback Tony Fiammetta (concussion), guard Duke Robinson and defensive tackle Nick Hayden. The third (emergency) quarterback was A.J. Feeley.
It was the first time undrafted rookie tackle Garry Williams was on the active roster.
Saints inactives included starting defensive tackles Sedrick Ellis and Kendrick Clancy. Anthony Hargrove started for Ellis and Remi Ayodele filled in for Clancy, who was put on injured reserve and is out for the season.
Also inactive was strongside linebacker Scott Fujita, who was replaced by Jo-Lonn Dunbar.
Other Saints inactives were kicker Garrett Hartley, receiver Lance Moore, cornerback Leigh Torrence, running back Lynell Hamilton and center Nick Leckey. Chase Daniel was the third (emergency) quarterback.
There were a couple of excellent, one hand-handed catches for both teams. New Orleans running back Reggie Bush grabbed a pass that was behind him with one hand and picked up eight yards in the third quarter. Then Carolina tight end Gary Barnidge did the same thing on an 11-yard pickup in the fourth quarter.
