ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

FALCONS

• Not sure I'm sold on the idea of having running back Jerious Norwood on the kick coverage unit. Sure, he's probably the fastest guy on the team and he made two tackles on Sunday. But, with Norwood and Michael Turner, the Falcons might have one of the NFL's top backfields (in terms of a 1-2 punch). Is it worth exposing Norwood to possible injury on special teams?

PANTHERS

• Although a statement about Chicago's offense that Muhsin Muhammad claims was taken out of context caused a stir earlier this week, the veteran receiver had plenty of praise for the Chicago defense.
• Tight end Dante Rosario, suddenly the most famous man in Charlotte, returned to practice today. The bad news is that guard Travelle Wharton, one of Carolina's most underrated players, still isn't practicing because of a knee injury.

SAINTS

• Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas was given an injury settlement. That means the Saints, or any other team, can sign him if he recovers from his triceps injury before the season ends.
• Looks like the Saints could have two new starters in the secondary on Sunday. Safety Josh Bullocks and cornerback Aaron Glenn are next in line if Roman Harper and Randall Gay can't go because of injuries.

BUCCANEERS

• The Bucs announced their home opener won't be blacked out on local television, even though some "scattered" seats remain. Think there would be any "scattered" seats if the Bucs had been able to land Brett Favre?