NFL Notes: Chargers, Dolphins, Panthers, Texans

Chargers

• According to Eric D. Williams, Chargers K Nick Novak is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to play on Sunday.
• This explains why Los Angeles worked out a group of kickers on Friday. (NFLTR)
• The Chargers have OT Joe Barksdale (foot) listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game and RB Melvin Gordon (foot) and DT Corey Liuget (back) both listed as questionable.

Dolphins

• Pro Football Talk reports that the NFL has yet to decide whether to suspend Dolphins LB Kiko Alonso for his hit on Ravens QB Joe Flacco.
• As for DT Ndamukong Suh, Pro Football Talk reports that the NFL is not considering suspending for his various infractions during Thursday night’s game.

Panthers

• Panthers HC Ron Rivera told reporters that K Graham Gano is sick, but should be fine for Week 8’s game. (Max Henson)
• Rivera added that practice squad K Roberto Aguayo is “strictly an emergency” situation, “but wow, he’s kicking really good.” (Bill Voth)
• The Panthers announced that LB Luke Kuechly is no longer in the concussion protocol and is expected to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
• The Carolina Panthers officially ruled out C Ryan Kalil (neck), OT John Theus (concussion) and RB Fozzy Whittaker (ankle) for Sunday’s game.
• Panthers S Kurt Coleman is questionable but expected to play. (Max Henson)

Texans

• Texans HC Bill O’Brien said Friday that LT Duane Brown is still trending toward him being able to play: “It’s definitely trending towards that. I think we have to sit down and make sure that we’re all on the same page with that… I would say it’s trending towards him being able to play.” (Mark Berman)
• The Texans officially ruled out OT Chris Clark (calf), LB Dylan Cole (hamstring), and DE Joel Heath (knee) for Week 8’s game.
• Texans LB Jelani Jenkins (hand) and DT Kendall Langford (back) are both questionable.