NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• The Buccaneers are working LBs Michael Divinity and Ray Wilborn. (Albert Breer)
• Buccaneers waived WR Jaydon Mickens. (NFLTR)
• Buccaneers promoted RB/KR Kenjon Barner to their active roster. 

Falcons

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the Falcons don’t plan to use a search firm for their head coach and general manager search. 

Panthers

• According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, Panthers WR Curtis Samuel, who is one of eight players placed on the COVID-19 list Monday, is a close contact of WR D.J. Moore, who tested positive. 
• That means Samuel is eligible to come off the list if he continues to test negative for five days after his exposure. 
• Panthers HC Matt Rhule said the plan is for RB Christian McCaffrey and CB Donte Jackson to return this week for Carolina. (Joe Person)
• McCaffrey said he’s feeling rested after several weeks off: “I feel great. I feel really great.” (Person)

Saints

• The Athletic’s Larry Holder noted Saints G Nick Easton started and took the lion’s share of the reps at right guard ahead of first-round OL Cesar Ruiz. Holder added that comes as expected given Ruiz has struggled in recent weeks. 
• Saints HC Sean Payton was predictably mum on whether QB Drew Brees would make it back against the Eagles in Week 14: “I honestly wouldn’t be able to give you a time frame. He’s like a handful of the other guys that are down there working their tails off to get back healthy, 100% and we’ll kind of see when that is.” (Katherine Terrell)