Gamble's injury further hurts Panthers' secondary

Killswitch · 12-09-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

The floundering Carolina Panthers could be forced to play Sunday's key NFC game against the New York Giants without either starting cornerback after Chris Gamble suffered a strained hamstring during Friday's practice and was added to the injury list as questionable.

The Panthers and Giants, who have lost a combined six straight games between them, are two of the four franchises tied at 6-6 in the battle for the two NFC wild-card berths.

Gamble's injury is the latest to befall the Carolina secondary and couldn't come at a much worse time. Despite a fourth straight loss last week, Giants quarterback Eli Manning arguably played his best game in nearly two months, and there were signs he is finally emerging from his long slump.

On the offensive side, the Panthers almost certainly will be without starting quarterback Jake Delhomme, who has a partially torn ligament in his right thumb. Chris Weinke, who has worked with the first unit all week as Delhomme didn't practice at all, is expected to make his first start since 2002.

It might not be until Sunday morning, after he tests the balky hamstring in the morning, before the Panthers know if Gamble will be able to line up at left cornerback.

Right cornerback Ken Lucas is already listed as questionable with a strained hamstring and, while he could play, it is believed he would only be available for nickel duty. Starting strong safety Mike Minter is nursing a sore knee, and the injury has slowed him some, but he will play.

This has been a difficult season for Lucas, who has suffered through shoulder, groin and hamstring injuries, and who appears to have lost his starting job at right cornerback to standout rookie Richard Marshall. A second-round pick from Fresno State, Marshall has started the past three games and has three interceptions.

Coming off a strong 2005 campaign when both performed with a physical style that set the tone for the Carolina defense, most observers felt this would be a breakout season for the Gamble-Lucas tandem.

But Lucas, who signed a six-year, $36.5 million contract with the Panthers as an unrestricted free agent in 2005, had problems early in the season with his tackling, and was benched. After grabbing 13 interceptions in his first two seasons, Gamble has been inconsistent in coverage this season and has only two pickoffs. The Panthers' first-round selection in the 2004 draft, Gamble has surrendered three touchdown passes in the past two games.

If neither Gamble nor Lucas can start on Sunday afternoon, the Panthers will be forced to go with Marshall and journeyman Christian Morton. Signed only last month, after veteran Reggie Howard left the team for personal reasons, Morton has been released seven times in his career, and has appeared in just 13 games, with one start.

He should be forced to play such a crutial game in the season just like Jake Delhomme should be. The Panthers need both men sense each man makes up the offense and the other makes up the rather stuggling defense. If they don't have him they will not be screwed and lose automacially but it will make a huge hole in the defense which will give more oppurnties to the other teams offense. So, yes he needs to be forced to play.

Thoughts?

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 12-09-2006, 12:04 PM

Jake Delhomme gone, as bad as I really think he is, is a better QB than Weinke and really hurt the chances of winning now with Gamble gone, I see a great chance of them out of the division lead and maybe the playoffs now, Carolina is going to have to win the remain games after this if they want a run in the playoffs...

joeytheking23 · 12-09-2006, 12:46 PM

Yet another reason I don't think the Panthers will make the playoffs. That and the fact they cant close out games in the 4th quarter. He is a good CB, and they need him all the time.

GiantsFan81 · 12-09-2006, 02:48 PM

Injuries always hurt teams, IMO Carolina and Giants have what it takes to be a good Playoff team, but not hurting like this.

StylesÃ‚â„¢ · 12-09-2006, 03:26 PM

Both teams are good, Carolina and the Giants, but if the Giants win this week like they should it will really help their chances and pushes Carolina back fighting to be in the playoffs...

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Gamble's injury further hurts Panthers' secondary

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