NFC South Notes: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints

Buccaneers

• According to ESPN’s Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers remain very high on QB Jameis Winston, who is playing out the last year of his deal this year. 
• Laine says the team has had discussions about using the franchise tag on Winston following the season. 
• Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians isn’t worried about TE O.J. Howard, who has only four catches for 32 yards through four games including getting shut out on Thursday night against the Panthers: “The balls will come. We don’t dictate who gets the ball, the defense does, so sometimes it will spread around for different people every week.” (Greg Auman)

Panthers

• Per Max Henson of the official team website, Panthers HC Ron Rivera said he found out after the game and his scheduled press conference that QB Cam Newton‘s foot was sore. 
• Rivera told reporters the team didn’t necessarily limit Newton’s rushing attempts to protect his foot, it was more because they were playing on a short week. (Jourdan Rodrigue)
• If Newton can’t play on Sunday against the Cardinals, Panthers backup QB Kyle Allen would get the start per Rivera: “I think Kyle’s more than ready. … I think he’s got a really good arm, makes good decisions. He just needs to speed himself up a bit.” (Joseph Person)
• Panthers S Eric Reid said the team has not talked to him about QB Colin Kaepernick, who is a close friend: “The team has not approached me, but I would welcome that.” (Person)
• Kaepernick’s name has come up again as an option with the recent spate of quarterback injuries around the NFL, but Reid doesn’t think this time will be any different: “Why would it?” (Person)
• Rivera told reporters the team was fine with its current options at quarterback and wouldn’t look to sign a veteran: “I don’t think so. The guys we have here, we brought them here for a reason.” (Person)
• Former Panthers WR Torrey Smith said some other teams called with interest after Carolina released him. However, he decided to retire since 2019 was going to be his last season anyway. (Person)
• Panthers second-round rookie OT Greg Little cleared the concussion protocol last week and should be ready to play in Week 3. (Henson)

Saints

• According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, Saints QB Drew Brees will have hand surgery in Los Angeles on Wednesday after consulting two specialists. 
• Werder says a timetable for Brees won’t be known until after the surgery. 
• Brees flew to Houston to receive a second opinion from Dr. Tom Hunt. Brees elected to have the procedure done in Los Angeles by Dr Steven Shinn, director of hand surgery at the Kerlan-Jobe Institute at Cedars-Sinai. (Werder)
• Brees released a statement: “I’m confident in the surgery that will take place and will dedicate myself to the rehab process to get back as quickly as I can.” (Werder)