NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

• Rick Stroud reports that Buccaneers RB T.J. Logan has a patellar tendon injury and is expected to be placed on Injured Reserve. Logan will more than likely miss the 2020 season. 
• Buccaneers WR John Franklin left practice on Friday on a cart with what appeared to be a left leg injury. Bruce Arians said that he’ll have an MRI today, but added that “it’s not looking very good.” (James Palmer)

Falcons

Falcons’ RT Kaleb McGary mentioned the continuity on the offensive line and is excited for the opportunity to block for a running back like Todd Gurley this season.

“I think we’ve gotten off to a really good start,” McGary said, via Jason Butt of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I think we’re all further along than we were last year. I know it’s certainly been a huge bonus to have me and Chris Lindstrom playing together and having everybody back. I am further ahead mentally than I was last year, just having a year to learn. I actually have an idea of what I’m doing now. I think we’ve made some pretty good strides. I’m definitely excited to see how this year goes. I think Gurley’s a good back, man. I’m excited to bust open some holes for him and see what he can do on game day.”

• Falcons HC Dan Quinn said DE Takk McKinley put emphasis on his diet this offseason and dropped over 20 pounds, down to 245, which is close to his college weight. (Tori McElheney)
• Regarding the Falcons declining his fifth-year option, McKinley said he must prove himself in 2020: “I still have another year to prove myself. It is what it is.” (Butt)
• Quinn said Falcons’ second-round DT Marlon Davidson missed Saturday’s practice after suffering a knee strain, but it is not considered a long-term issue. (Jason Butt)

Panthers

Panthers P Joseph Charlton said he wasn’t surprised to go undrafted given he didn’t have a Pro Day or usual pre-draft routines to get noticed. 

“I didn’t get a chance to show what I could do in front of a lot of people,” said Charlton, via Joe Person. 

Panthers QB Will Grier said he “failed miserably” at being Carolina’s backup quarterback last season.

“Straight-up was bad,’’ said Grier, via David Newton. “I failed miserably. Me against me.’’ 

Panthers HC Matt Rhule said he likes Grier’s maturity, work ethic, and ability to accept responsibility. 

“I’ve liked his level of maturity. I’ve liked his work ethic. And most importantly, I’ve liked his ability to take responsibility when things go wrong,” said Rhule, via Myles Simmons.

• Rhule mentioned Panthers’ UDFA WR Omar Bayless is scheduled to undergo knee surgery and his recovery timetable could be “a couple weeks or a couple months.” Rhule added that Bayless’ injury stems from a previous issue. (Person)

• Joseph Person notes that Panthers’ RB Christian McCaffrey has been working with wide receivers in individual drills, which makes sense for a receiving back.
• Person adds that HC Matt Rhule says he’s “not caught up” in McCaffrey getting to the 1,000-yard mark in both rushing and receiving again: “He has pride, he wants to do special things. But the most important thing he wants to do is win.”
• Panthers WR Seth Roberts is going through the league’s concussion protocol. (Joe Person)