Carolina Panthers treating bye week as low-key chance to fix mistakes

There’s work to be done for the Carolina Panthers during their bye week, but they are still treating it with a measure of relaxation.

Wednesday’s practice was a shorter one that was replete with benches and heaters as the coaches looked to get the players off their feet when they needed to be but still get work done as the regular season turns into the postseason.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said there have been some changes to this bye week compared to the one after the 2013 season, when the Panthers lost to San Francisco 23-10 in the divisional round.

The biggest change?

“The experience of having been through it,” Rivera said. “At that point we had never been through it as a group. We’ve gone through it a couple of times (now). It’s about what have we learned – what have I learned as the head coach. I did change some things up in terms of preparation for this week. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Carolina can’t necessarily gameplan for an opponent because the Panthers won’t know who they face on Jan. 17 until Sunday. It could be Seattle, Green Bay or Washington.

So the Panthers worked on themselves, correcting mistakes from the previous week’s victory over Tampa Bay and even scrimmaging against each other for the first time since midseason.

The Panthers will have another light practice around lunchtime Thursday and an even lighter one Friday before giving the players the weekend off.

“I’ve had it both ways. Back in 2009 we had the whole week off,” said 12-year veteran Jared Allen. “I think for staying in a routine and habits, it’s good. The way coach has it is awesome. Get out, get a short practice in, get to correct things and mistakes we made last game, work on the details and then obviously keep you in your routine and rhythm but also give guys a chance to rest up.”

Running back Jonathan Stewart was back on the field after missing the final three games of the season because of a foot sprain. Stewart worked with receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (leg) on the side.

Ginn said he plans to play next week and could have played Sunday against the Bucs had he needed to.

Running back Fozzy Whittaker (ankle) has his boot off after suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 16 but was not at practice. Linebacker A.J. Klein (hamstring) also did not practice.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 5:24 PM with the headline "Carolina Panthers treating bye week as low-key chance to fix mistakes."