It looks like Jarrett will be the guy based on his steady improvement over the last three weeks with Hackett out.

The Panthers regularly keep four receivers active - Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad, (returner) Mark Jones and either Jarrett or Hackett. Hackett missed three games before the bye week with a knee injury, but is now ready to return and practiced full on Wednesday.

However, Jarrett is a former second-round pick whom the Panthers really want to succeed.

PLAYER NOTES

--RB Jonathan Stewart is expected to play this week despite missing practice Wednesday with a heel problem. This is not the same foot that bothered Stewart earlier this year (a turf toe issue).

--RT Jeff Otah returned to practice on Wednesday and will start this week providing he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

--C Ryan Kalil returned to practice on Wednesday and will start this week providing he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

--WR D.J. Hackett returned to practice this week, but it's unclear if he will be active. In all likelihood the Panthers will stick with Dwayne Jarrett as the No. 3 receiver.

--DT Darwin Walker did not practice Wednesday. He suffered a neck injury due to a car accident.

GAME PLAN: The Panthers want to continue to focus on running the football and they should have no problems doing that this week. Carolina comes in with the 13th-ranked rushing offense in the league and faces an Oakland defense that is allowing 157.6 yards per game this season. Look for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to have big games and Jake Delhomme to cash in off the play-action pass once the Panthers establish the running game.

Defensively, the Panthers are playing better than their No. 8 ranking overall and shouldn't have too many problems shutting down the Raiders as long as they come to play.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Panthers WR Steve Smith vs. Raiders CBs -- Smith has been on a tear for the Panthers with at least five receptions and 95 yards in each of his last five games. During that span he has 29 catches for 543 yards and four touchdowns. Smith won't get to pick on CB DeAngelo Hall, who was reportedly released Wednesday by the Raiders.

Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart vs. Raiders front seven: The Raiders have the league's 30th-ranked rush defense, allowing 157.6 yards per game and 4.5 yards per carry. The Panthers have the potential to do the same thing to the Raiders that the Falcons did last week. Williams had a huge game against Arizona before the bye week (17 carries, 108 yards, TD) and is playing with a ton more confidence. Also, the Panthers will get starting linemen Jeff Otah and Ryan Kalil back this week.

INJURY IMPACT: The Panthers will get right tackle Jeff Otah and center Ryan Kalil back in the starting lineup this week. Also, WR D.J. Hackett will be ready if the Panthers need him.

Running back Jonathan Stewart (heel) and Darwin Walker (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. However, teammate DeAngelo Williams said he expects Stewart to play this week against the Raiders.