Carolina Panthers could sit 3 starters for finale vs. Bucs

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera wants to win Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but not at any price.

With Carolina playing in the postseason and a lock on a first-round bye, Rivera opted to rule running back Jonathan Stewart as out for Sunday’s game, and it’s doubtful free safety Kurt Coleman or No. 1 receiver Ted Ginn will play either.

“It is about winning at the end of the day,” Rivera said Friday, “but which one do you want to win more?”

With a victory over Tampa Bay the Panthers would lock up the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC playoffs. Carolina could even get the No. 1 seed with a loss if Arizona loses to Seattle.

But the risk is too great to play the trio of starters in the regular-season finale. Stewart is still hampered by a foot sprain. Ginn’s knee injury didn’t heal as quickly as Rivera hoped and, while Coleman was on the field this week, his foot is still holding him back.

With Stewart and Fozzy Whittaker out, the Panthers will have Cameron Artis-Payne, Mike Tolbert and undrafted rookie Brandon Wegher in the backfield.

Corey Brown and Devin Funchess will get the starts at receiver. And second-year safety Tre Boston will start in place of Coleman.

“It’s just like every week,” Boston said. “It’s just my normal preparation. Now I’m starting. Been there done that before. Nothing new for me so just come in ready to play.”

In place of Whittaker on kickoff return will be Tolbert, Wegher and Joe Webb. And on punt return, the Panthers will likely go with cornerback Robert McClain or give receiver Brenton Bersin a shot.

McClain fielded 19 punts for the Falcons in 2013 and averaged 10.2 yards per return.

“From Day 1 since I got here I caught punts every day in practice,” McClain said. “Any time the punter kicks any extra ones I try to catch them, and get out there early and just make sure I’m catching the ball solid and doing the right things when I do catch it.”

This story was originally published January 1, 2016 at 2:59 PM with the headline "Carolina Panthers could sit 3 starters for finale vs. Bucs."