Center Ryan Kalil could return to this week, providing his ankle is good enough to go. The last time Kalil tried to play, he was unable to push off his injured ankle and didn't make it out of the first quarter.

He missed last week's game against Detroit but now appears ready to go. If he starts, Carolina's offensive line will finally have its original starting five back on the field vs. Atlanta.

Kalil practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.

PLAYER NOTES

--WR Steve Smith had six grabs for 96 yards and a touchdown in the previous meeting with Atlanta. In his last three games against NFC South foes, Smith has 18 catches for 330 yards with two touchdowns.

--DE Julius Peppers has nine sacks in his past eight games.

--LB Na'il Diggs had his first interception since 2003 last week vs. Detroit.

--WR Muhsin Muhammad had eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown earlier this year against the Falcons. Don't expect him to put up big numbers like that again Sunday, but he should be a factor.

--LB Thomas Davis was held out of practice Wednesday with an ankle injury, although it's not believed to be serious.

--RB DeAngelo Williams is looking for his fourth straight 100-yard rushing game. He has 368 yards and four touchdowns in the last three games.

GAME PLAN: This could be a quick game as both teams will look to run the football.

The Panthers are sixth in the NFL in rushing while the Falcons are second. The big question is whose defense will step up. Both teams have quarterbacks who can make big plays in the passing game.

But this game is likely to be determined by which team plays better at the line of scrimmage.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Falcons QB Matt Ryan vs. Panthers secondary -- The Panthers are fifth against the pass, but Ryan has been terrific at home this year. The rookie is 4-1 at the Georgia Dome and has posted a quarterback rating of 115 or higher in four of those games. He's completed 79 of 117 passes for 1,152 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Ryan was held without a touchdown in the first meeting, a 24-9 Carolina victory.

Panthers RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart vs. Falcons front seven: The Panthers are coming off a franchise-record 264 yards rushing last week against the Detroit Lions and are feeling pretty good about their running game. Both Williams and Stewart eclipsed 100 yards last week.

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme vs. Falcons secondary: Delhomme hasn't thrown for more than 100 yards in either of the past two games and has four interceptions and only two touchdown passes. Delhomme, however, did throw for 294 yards and two scores in the first meeting with the Falcons.

INJURY IMPACT: Center Ryan Kalil remains questionable for this week with a high ankle sprain, but he did practice Wednesday. Geoff Hangartner would start if Kalil can't go. Linebacker Thomas Davis was held out of practice Wednesday with a sore ankle. He should be fine.