Kasay's status still up in the air

By Darin Gantt - dgantt@carolina.rr.com

CHARLOTTE -- The Panthers seem up in the air about their kicking situation for the weekend, as veteran John Kasay missed his second straight day of practice.

The 40-year-old Kasay's listed as questionable for Sunday's game at New Orleans, with what coach John Fox described as a “sore groin.”

When the tight-lipped Fox was reminded he described it as “tight,” the day before, he cracked: “Let's stay with tight. Tight's better,” and wouldn't elaborate on Kasay's condition.

Kasay hasn't missed a game since 2004, when he was out two weeks with a calf strain. The Panthers have kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd on the roster, but at the moment, haven't worked out any other kickers.

That either means something's coming, or else they're more confident than they're letting on that Kasay should be fine. Lloyd said Thursday he expected Kasay to be able to go.

As for the rest of the Panthers' injury report, fullback Brad Hoover (high ankle sprain) is the only player listed as out.

Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (knee), free safety Charles Godfrey (ankle), tight Dante Rosario (knee) and fullback Tony Fiammetta (concussion) are listed as questionable, despite not practicing at all this week.

Running back Jonathan Stewart (Achilles) and linebacker Landon Johnson (shoulder) are listed as questionable, though they practiced fully Thursday and Friday. Quarterback Jake Delhomme is listed as probable (chest), though he's practiced all week and should be fine.

SAINTS HURTING, TOO — The Saints will be without two starting defensive tackles Sunday and could be making roster moves today to compensate.

Sedrick Ellis is expected to miss another month or more with a knee injury, and fellow starter Kendrick Clancy has been ruled out with a knee injury. Wide receiver Lance Moore (ankle) has been ruled out, and linebacker Scott Fujita (calf) is listed as questionable despite not practicing this week.

Without Ellis and Clancy, the Saints are down to two healthy DTs, Anthony Hargrove and Remi Ayodele. They could also bring former N.C. State DT DeMario Pressley up from the practice squad or use end Charles Grant inside.

FINE TIME — Panthers tight end Jeff King was fined $5,000 by the NFL for his illegal peel-back block in last week's win at Arizona. His fine letter specified he was being docked for “unnecessary roughness (struck opponent late).”

Also from that game, Cardinals defensive tackle Darnell Dockett was fined $5,000 for “impermissible use of the helmet (helmet-to-helmet contact),” for a hit on Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams.

GO FIGURE — Even though the Saints' passing game has stolen the show, they're actually one of five teams in the league with more rushing attempts than passes (along with the Panthers, Jets, Raiders and Dolphins). Saints coach Sean Payton said that was by design, even though they lack a name-brand back.

Pierre Thomas (70 rushes for 405 yards and four TDs) and Mike Bell (89-392-2) have split the work, leaving Reggie Bush to play his better-suited wild card role.

“We are trying to play a complementary game,” Payton said. “One of our goals in the offseason was to improve in that area. I think it helps your defense, I think it helps you play with the lead, and it helps the overall mentality of your team. We have had some continuity in the offensive line, yet there have been a couple of injuries like losing (left tackle) Jamall Brown in the preseason was unfortunate. Jermon Bushrod was able to step in.

“That is one area we have tried to pay attention to and reduce the number of runs we are carrying during the game and work more on getting the reps correctly.”