Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) did not practice for the second day this week while nursing a hamstring injury. Pineiro strained the muscle during pregame warmups ahead of Week 17's contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars and was held out of the game. Kickoff duties were handled by linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill and there were no extra-point or field goal opportunities in that game. The Panthers signed Matthew Wright to their practice squad on Tuesday in case Pineiro can't recover in time to play in the season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (illness) missed Wednesday's practice due to an illness but was able to practice in full on Thursday. Signed in the offseason to a four-year, $25.4 million contract, Sanders has been operating as the backup to Chuba Hubbard since the Panthers returned from their Week 7 bye. On the season, Sanders has had just two games where he logged double-digit points in PPR settings. With one week left to play the 26-year-old has 568 scrimmage yards and one touchdown. His disappointing season will end in Week 18's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he will once again be a non-factor in fantasy.

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro did not attempt a kick in his team's 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17 as he felt tightness in his hamstring during pre-game warmups and did not play. The veteran kicker is still dealing with tightness in his hamstring as he did not participate in practice on Wednesday as the Panthers began preparing to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the regular-season finale. Carolina signed Matthew Wright to their practice squad on Tuesday as a backup plan in case Pineiro is unable to play in Week 18. Stay tuned to Carolina's practice reports for the remainder of the week.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (back) was banged up in the Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and entered the medical tent for a brief check-up. However, he did not miss a snap and was a full participant in the first practice leading up to Week 18. The Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are looking to clinch the NFC South on Sunday. It's good news that Young's back is fine, and he doesn't appear at risk of missing Week 18, but he should not be on the fantasy or DFS radar in the last week of the regular season. Young has failed to produce double-digit fantasy points in seven of his last eight starts. With Jonathan Mingo (foot) on Injured Reserve, he's not likely to end that trend in this spot.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (illness) did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. The 26-year-old was listed with a toe injury last week but practiced in full and played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17. Heading into the Week 18 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he could be at risk of missing the NFC South contest. While the Panthers have nothing left to play for this season, they are looking to upset the Buccaneers and keep them out of the playoffs. However, Sanders is far from the fantasy radar based on his body of work this season. Chuba Hubbard has more rushing yards, yards per carry, rushing touchdowns, receptions, receiving yards, and fantasy points than Sanders, who was expected to be the lead back heading into 2023.