NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• Per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Buccaneers first-round rookie LB Devin White returned to practice after missing two games with an MCL sprain. 
• Tampa Bay also got back third-round rookie CB Jamel Dean. 

Falcons

Falcons TE Austin Hooper has continued to be a steady presence for the Falcons offense. He has 28 receptions which leads the team and has 307 receiving yards with two touchdowns. Hooper’s entering the final year of his rookie deal and Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff says the team has its eyes on an extension for him. 

“Austin is one of the next important players in line,” Dimitroff said via ESPN’s Vaughn McClure. “That said, however, we are not sure of the timetable.”

• Falcons HC Dan Quinn said he wasn’t considering making any changes at offensive or defensive coordinator: “No, I’m happy with where we’re at.” (McClure)
• Adding a safety to address the tackling in the secondary was a factor for the Falcons in the trade for S Johnathan Cyprien, per Quinn: “(Kemal Ishmael) and Cyp have good size and both are good tacklers.” (D. Orlando Ledbetter)
• Quinn noted its too early to say if C Alex Mack will play Sunday against the Texans. (Ledbetter)
• Falcons G Jamon Brown (concussion) and CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (groin) missed practice Wednesday. (McClure)
• Falcons signed LB Ahmad Thomas to their practice squad.
• Falcons released DE Austin Larkin from their practice squad.

Panthers

• Per the Athletic’s Joseph Person, Panthers QB Kyle Allen says he has “no clue” how long he’ll be starting in place of Cam Newton. 
• Panthers second-round rookie OT Greg Little re-entered the concussion protocol this week, though HC Ron Rivera couldn’t say if it was a new injury or related to a concussion he suffered during the preseason and missed time with earlier this eason. (Person)
• Panthers placed WR Chris Hogan on injured reserve. (NFLTR)
• Panthers claimed OL Caleb Benenoch off of waivers from the Patriots. (NFLTR)
• Panthers signed WR Tyron Johnson to their practice squad. (NFLTR)

Saints

• Per the New Orleans Advocate’s Luke Johnson, Saints HC Sean Payton said he would like to get more touches for RB Latavius Murray and more plays for the offense as a whole: “More than anything else, our play numbers are down. Honestly, I expect more touches for him, and more opportunities for our offense.”