PLAYER NOTES

--DT Maake Kemoeatu is nursing a sprained ankle and did not practice on Wednesday.

--DT Darwin Walker or Gary Gibson will start if Maake Kemoeatu can't go this week.

--RG Keydrick Vincent left Sunday's game against Denver with a groin injury and did not return. His status for the Giants game will be updated later this week.

--RG Jeremy Bridges would likely get the start this week if Keydrick Vincent can't go.

--LB Adam Seward is still recovering from a sprained ankle.

GAME PLAN: There's little doubt that both teams plan to run the ball on Sunday, so this game is going to be won up front. The temperature at game time is expected to dip into the low 20s. The Panthers will have an edge in the passing game. They have Pro Bowl WR Steve Smith, while the Giants are without Plaxico Burress and have lost two straight games. However, the Panthers are likely to be without Maake Kemoeatu in the middle of their defensive line.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Giants front seven -- The last time the Panthers were in New York for a big game they ran over the Giants using a strong running game and shut them out at home to advance in the playoff. Carolina hopes to do the same this time around with Williams, who has 12 touchdowns in his past seven games and leads all NFL rushers (with a minimum of 100 carries) with a 5.5-yard average.

Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Panthers DTs Darwin Walker and Gary Gibson: Jacobs is expected to return from a knee injury this week, and he will face a team likely without injured DT Maake Kemoeatu.

INJURY IMPACT: Carolina could be in a bit of trouble if defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu can't play on Sunday night against the New York Giants. Kemoeatu left Sunday's game against Denver in the second half and did not return. His status for this week is up in the air, but teammates are talking like he won't play.

The Giants are an extremely physical running team and the Panthers really need Kemoeatu in there to help combat RB Brandon Jacobs. If he can't go, then Gary Gibson, Darwin Walker and defensive end Charles Johnson will need to help pick up the slack.

--RG Keydrick Vincent suffered a groin injury on Sunday and was replaced by veteran Jeremy Bridges.

"Jeremy Bridges stepped in and played maybe 12-13 plays, and I thought did a superb job," coach John Fox said. "He's started for us in the past. That's an option. I can't honestly tell you from square one how we'll go with the O-line, but that is how we finished yesterday."