PLAYER NOTES

--LT Jordan Gross (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday and his status for Sunday remains up in the air. If Gross can't go, then Frank Omiyale would start at left tackle again.

--RT Jeff Otah (sprained ankle) was held out of practice Wednesday and his status for Sunday's game remains up in the air. It's safe to say he has a better chance of playing than Jordan Gross.

--WR D.J. Hackett will miss at least this week's game with a sprained medial collateral ligament, according to his agent. That means Dwayne Jarrett could be activated.

--WR Dwayne Jarrett could be up this week with D.J. Hackett out with a sprained MCL in his knee.

--PR Mark Jones no longer has to worry about Ryne Robinson taking his job. Robinson (knee) was placed on injured reserve.

GAME PLAN: The Panthers are going to stick with what works - the running game. After breaking out for more than 200 yards rushing last week, the Panthers will rely heavily on the two-headed attack of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart against rival Tampa Bay. Of course, the Panthers will sprinkle in plenty of Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad as well.

Jake Delhomme feels very comfortable playing against the Bucs and is coming off strong back-to-back performances vs. Atlanta and Kansas City.

Defensively, the Panthers will continue to stick with what is working. They've simplified the defense this year allowing players to use their athletic ability more.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Panthers QB Jake Delhomme vs. Bucs DBs -- Delhomme has been a Buc-killer over the years, completing 13 TD passes with only seven INTs. More important, he's 7-1 as Carolina's starter against the Bucs. He'll look to find Steve Smith, who should be a little angry after dropping two potential touchdown passes last week. To be fair, one would have been a very difficult catch, but the other

Panthers DL vs. Bucs RB Ernest Graham: The Panthers have shut down some of the game's best running backs this year, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner and Matt Forte. But the Bucs, who rank third in the league in rushing, will challenge them on Sunday. The Panthers have allowed only one rushing TD. That was by a fullback.

INJURY IMPACT: Starting offensive linemen Jordan Gross, Jeff Otah and Ryan Kalil did not practice Wednesday, but coach John Fox is holding out hope that all can play this week against Tampa Bay. In case they don't make it back, here is the substitution pattern: Frank Omiyale for Gross, Jeremy Bridges for Otah and Geoff Hangartner for Kalil.

Others who did not practice Wednesday included safety Quinton Teal, defensive tackle Darwin Walker and receiver D.J. Hackett.

There was some concern about defensive end Hilee Taylor's knee after Sunday's game, but he's fine and he did practice Wednesday.

Outside linebacker Na'il Diggs (foot) was limited.

Matt Moore participated "full" in practice for the first time since breaking his fibula. Although Moore dressed out for last week's game vs. Kansas City, the Panthers had no intentions of using him.