Let's take a morning run through some odds and ends from around the division:
ATLANTA FALCONS
Linebackers coach Glenn Pires said rookie Brian Banks is progressing well. Banks is one of the best stories in the league this year. He’s playing football for the first time in more than 10 years after being exonerated of a charge that kept him in prison for more than five years. Banks quickly has become a fan favorite, but it remains to be seen if he’ll make the roster.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Injuries have been a problem for the Panthers since the arrival of coach Ron Rivera. They’ve had 16 players on injured reserve each of the past two seasons. But Rivera has made multiple changes to his camp routine in an effort to keep his team healthier.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Larry Holder reports that the elbow injury outside linebacker Martez Wilson suffered Monday is likely to sideline him two to four weeks. That means Will Smith and Junior Galette will get all of the first-team work for the rest of the preseason. It also could open the door for rookie Rufus Johnson to have a shot at some playing time.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Coach Greg Schiano has brought plenty of ideas from college to the NFL. Here’s another one: Instead of keeping Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers at the same positions all the time, the Bucs plan to flip-flop their defensive ends between the right and left side.
