If Maake Kemoeatu is out again, Parker could be asked to play some nose tackle against the Saints. He has more beef (325 pounds) than Lewis and Walker, both 295. Lewis played some nose tackle on Sunday night and that isn't his strongest position.

Parker, who was signed off the Atlanta Falcons' practice squad, has played in 11 games during the past four seasons - eight with Cleveland in 2005 and 2006, two with Dallas in 2006 and one with Baltimore in 2007. A Roanoke Rapids, N.C., native, he's never started an NFL game.

PLAYER NOTES

--DT Maake Kemoeatu is nursing a sprained ankle and did not practice on Wednesday but said he expects to play.

--DT Damione Lewis has a sprained right shoulder and it's unclear if he will play this week. Darwin Walker could start in his place.

--DT Darwin Walker will likely start if Maake Kemoeatu or Damione Lewis can't go this week, although recently added J'Vonne Parker is an option too. However, Kemoeatu said he plans to play.

--RG Geoff Hangartner started for the Panthers on Sunday night but Jeremy Bridges also saw action there.

--DT Gary Gibson has been placed on IR with a hand injury.

--DT J'Vonne Parker was signed by the Panthers to the 53-man roster on Tuesday to give them more depth there.

--WR Muhsin Muhammad did not practice on Wednesday. But it's expected he will play this week against the Saints.

--TE Jeff King (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. The injury is not believed to be serious.

GAME PLAN: It's easy to suggest the Panthers will go after the Saints on the ground, but look for New Orleans to try to stack the box and force the Panthers to throw. If that happens, then Steve Smith could have another 100-yard game against the Saints. He had six grabs for 122 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting, a 30-7 Carolina win.

As for the Saints, their only goal is to get Drew Brees the NFL single-season passing record, so Carolina's secondary had better strap it on and get ready. Carolina's secondary has been shaky lately, so this will be a big test for them.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams vs. Saints front seven -- So how do you stop the unstoppable? That is the question facing Saints coach Sean Payton this week. In the past eight games Williams has run for 923 yards and 16 touchdowns. He now leads the league with 20 touchdowns overall.

Saints QB Drew Brees vs. Panthers CB Ken Lucas: Brees could throw it 60 times this week and nobody would bat an eye. Carolina's Ken Lucas has been picked on a punch lately and has struggled. Lucas is having trouble bouncing back after giving up a pass, meaning teams tend to go right back after him once he's been beat. Lucas needs to shake it off and have a shorter memory.

INJURY IMPACT: If defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu doesn't play this week, his loss probably won't be as costly as it was a week ago since the Saints aren't the power running team the Giants are. However, fellow defensive tackle Damione Lewis might be the one who sits out this week. Lewis should play, but you have to wonder how effective he'll be with a shoulder injury. A bye week will certainly do him good.