The New Orleans Saints will be without three injured players in their secondary - including cornerback Eli Apple and safeties Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams - as they seek a first-round playoff bye with a win over Carolina on Sunday combined with a loss or tie by the 49ers or Packers.
The Panthers will be without 1,000-yard receiver D.J. Moore and linebacker Shaq Thompson because of injuries. Defensive tackle Vernon Butler is active for Carolina after being ejected last week at Indianapolis for throwing a punch and then making an obscene gesture to the crowd on his way off the field.