CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero was in an unusually upbeat mood recently as he began his weekly press conference, smiling more than usual throughout.
Asked if his demeanor had anything to do with finally getting outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum and other key players back from injury, the 43-year-old coach laughed and said, "Has to do with resting over the bye week to get some sleep.''
Evero had plenty of sleepless nights during the Panthers' 1-7 start, trying to piece together his 3-4 defense that was decimated by injuries. He'll likely have a few more this week, trying to figure out how to stop NFL rushing leader Saquon Barkley (1,499 yards) and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (1 p.