Veteran safety Quintin Mikell was unemployed earlier this week.
He’s probably going to start Sunday.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said after practice that Mikell would likely start at safety if Mike Mitchell isn’t able to go, and that Mitchell was ruled doubtful for the game because of a calf strain.
If Mitchell hadn’t been hurt, he’d have likely held Mikell off for a little, until the conditioning issues from a lack of training camp were overcome by the disparity in talent. Mikell’s a former Pro Bowler with experience in Rivera and coordinator Sean McDermott’s system.
Also for the Panthers, backup running back Kenjon Barner and cornerback James Dockery are out for their game with the Seahawks, while wide receiver Domenik Hixon, guard Amini Silatolu and defensive tackle Dwan Edwards are questionable.
If Edwards can’t go, they’ll likely use veteran Colin Cole next to rookie Star Lotulelei inside.