NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers

Buccaneers

• According to the Athletic’s Greg Auman, Buccaneers DE Jason Pierre-Paul earned another $600,000 in incentives for playing more than 70 percent of the defensive snaps Sunday. 

Falcons

• Over The Cap’s Hardik Sanghavi mentions Falcons TE Austin Hooper as a strong candidate to reset the tight end market this offseason if he hits free agency, which is a strong possibility given Atlanta’s cap situation. 
• Packers TE Jimmy Graham‘s $10 million APY currently paces the tight end market. 
• Falcons RB Devonta Freeman (foot) is expected to participate in walkthroughs this week. (Vaughn McClure)

Panthers

Panthers K Joey Slye has had some strong moments this season. The undrafted free agent was signed as a camp leg but ended up taking over when starting K Graham Gano went on injured reserve. However, Slye’s missed 28-yard field goal and two missed extra points played a key role in Carolina’s 34-31 loss to New Orleans on Sunday. 

“I wanted to be a part of a great win here,” Slye said via ESPN’s David Newton. “I feel terrible. … We’re a 5-5 team trying to make the playoffs. We needed a win like this against a divisional opponent, and I have a huge hand in this loss, so I take it personally.”

• Per the Athletic’s Joseph Person, Panthers HC Ron Rivera called the decision to release former third-round S Rashaan Gaulden after his mistake-riddled performance in Sunday’s game “a football decision.” 
• Panthers first-round rookie LB Brian Burns had the two pins inserted in his wrist after an injury earlier this season removed. (Jourdan Rodrigue)
• Panthers DT Dontari Poe elected to have surgery to repair his torn quad on Tuesday, which will likely end his season. (Josina Anderson)