Panthers HC Matt Rhule and GM Scott Fitterer each called Christian McCaffrey on Friday night to tell him that, regardless of trade rumors including the star RB, they never discussed or even considered trading him to Houston for Deshaun Watson, per sources nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%…

NE 27, LAC 24 😠😀 Frustration turns to joy ⚡️ D zaps Herbert 🧅 Showed onions 🥊 Lots of fight ⬆️ Folk, Gunner, ⭐️PHILLIPS⭐️ ⬇️ Bourne, Herron, Mac 🤷🏽 Play-calling from the 1 🏃🏾 Needed to run 6⃣ lost fumbles on season (2nd most) 🔒🐆 Next: at Stephon Gilmore/Panthers

Imagine being Robby Anderson getting out of New York, signing a new contract, and having a career year only for Sam Darnold to come back and almost end ur career pic.twitter.com/qIYX8rbl7Z

Chuba Hubbard punches it in for 6! 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/PwhWXIgaCA

Panthers QB Sam Darnold just got rocked and walked off woozy. P.J. Walker is now in at QB for Carolina.

Panthers coach Matt Rhule absolutely tossed his challenge flag 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/MPVMNB4xXL

Zane Gonzalez has been holding up his end of the bargain the last month-plus.

Matt Rhule calls Ameer Abdullah a "jolt of energy." Talks about this being a team win, offense had the defense's back and vice versa.

I spoke with Shaq Thompson about his return - he said he felt like he was playing some of his best football before injuring his foot a few weeks ago, and he can't wait to get back out there today with his teammates.

Panthers inactives: Injured: WR Terrace Marshall Jr., CB CJ Henderson. Scratches: LB Kamal Martin, DT Phil Hoskins.

Frankie Luvu is the bang-for-your-buck free agent pickup of the year for the Panthers. Combines with Brian Burns for a third down sack.

Royce Freeman on the field as Panthers rotating three RBs in the early going.

The Panthers ran 47 times for 203 yards and didn't allow a sack Sunday. I mean, I know it's late, but Cam Erving and Michael Jordan and Matt Paradis and Trent Scott and Taylor Moton did some work today. pic.twitter.com/VB7mZVtv5a

Jermaine Carter back on the field. No Stephon Gilmore presently. He came in on nickel last series.

Cameron Erving speaks to the media after the game twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Matt Rhule says Joe Brady was "locked in" on the run game.

Trent Scott will start at right guard for the Panthers. Replaces the injured John Miller. Gets the call over Dennis Daley and Brady Christensen.

Panthers safety Juston Burris, who was designated to return from IR this week, did not progress as hoped from his groin injury. Likewise, DB Myles Hartsfield and his broken wrist.

With Daviyon Nixon on IR and Phil Hoskins inactive, Panthers only have three DTs today. Although both Morgan Fox and Yetur Gross-Matos both can slide inside.

Yetur Gross-Matos with a third-down sack (his first of the year), and the Falcons are punting. It's on PJ Walker to land this plane, because Darnold's in the locker room.