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The Carolina Panthers have never played a regular-season game on Thursday - before this week against the Miami Dolphins. The compressed preparation is taking some getting used to.
"You want to be able to kind of step back from what you did the week before and breathe a little," tight end Dante Rosario said Tuesday, a few minutes after he stepped off the practice field outside Bank of America Stadium. The workout came less than 48 hours after the Panthers beat Atlanta 28-19 on Sunday.
Thursday's game forced major changes in the Panthers schedule this week. Players had Monday off (they usually come in to either lift weights or attend meetings). They practiced Tuesday (their normal day off). Today, they'll get a double-dose of practice and game-plan preparation, since they're missing a third day of practice that usually comes on Friday.
"We're cramming two days into one," coach John Fox said of today's practice. "But at least we know it's the same thing for (the Dolphins)."
Knowing time would be limited this week, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said he already sprinkled in some preparation for the Panthers as Miami practiced for games against New England and Tampa Bay the past two weeks.
Fox also said he's been looking ahead to the Dolphins - who beat the Panthers 27-17 in the preseason - and their "wildcat" offense.
"It's not even ridiculously close to how we'll play them this time," said Fox. "But it won't be the first time we've practiced (against) it."
Panthers defensive tackle Damione Lewis planned on going upstairs to the media room in his house to watch extra film Tuesday night.
"Usually, I'll get the kids to bed at around 8:30 and watch film until about 10," said Lewis. "But I'm going to watch from about 7 till 11 (Tuesday)."
Briefly
As expected, the Panthers put left tackle Jordan Gross on injured reserve, meaning he'll miss the rest of the season with the broken right ankle he suffered against Atlanta.
Gross's roster spot will be filled by rookie Charly Martin, a receiver who has been on Carolina's practice squad since Sept.10. He spent the preseason with San Diego after leading the nation with 95 catches, 1,867 yards and 22 touchdowns for NCAA Division II's West Texas A&M last season.
"He caught the coaches' eyes on the practice field," said Fox, who added Martin also might play on special teams.
The Panthers signed offensive linemen Brian De La Puenta (California) and defensive end Eric Moore (Florida State) to the practice squad and released tight end Jason Pociask.
As Gross was carted off the field Sunday, he was able to share a brief - and rueful - laugh with guard Travelle Wharton.
That's because there's something about playing home games against the Falcons that isn't healthy for the Panthers' offensive line.
Gross suffered a concussion last season against Atlanta and missed the first game of his career the next week against Kansas City. In the 2006 season opener, Wharton hurt his knee against the Falcons and missed the rest of the year.
"I mentioned that to him, that it always seems to happen against Atlanta," said Wharton. "All we could do was laugh."
Defensive end Charles Johnson missed practice with an injured pectoral muscle, suffered Sunday.
Others missing practice: Safety Charles Godfrey (ankle), fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) and running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles). Lewis (shoulder) practiced on a limited basis.
The Dolphins are one of two teams the Panthers have never beaten in their 15 seasons (along with Houston). Conversely, the Panthers are the only team the Dolphins have never lost to.
Delhomme visits Gross in hospital
Quarterback Jake Delhomme said he was one of several players who visited Gross in the hospital Monday following Gross' surgery the previous night to repair his broken ankle.
"Typical Jordan fashion, he apologizes for getting his broken leg," said Delhomme.
Delhomme said Gross knew his injury was serious from the beginning, saying "it's bad" while still on the ground in the second quarter against the Falcons.
Delhomme said he hadn't heard a precise timetable on when Gross will be healed, but that no complications are anticipated.
Delhomme said the loss of Gross to the Panthers is huge.
"The ownership he's taken of this team, of his position, the importance (he places on his job), what it means to him, it's admirable," said Delhomme. "You wish everybody would be that way."
Delhomme said Gross really wants to attend Thursday night's game, but that he urged Gross to "rest up, you just had surgery." Charles Chandler
