NFC South Notes: Falcons, Panthers, Saints

Falcons

Falcons HC Dan Quinn mentioned that it would be a waste of time for him to be worried about his job status at this point. 

“Well, I can honestly say like all the time and all the attention I have I couldn’t think of a bigger waste of my mental health and space,” Quinn said. “All I want to do is see if we can get it right. That’s what we want to deliver for Arthur. That’s what we want to deliver for the fans, for the team, and have the performances that the city deserves. That’s really important. So to spend any time or moments thinking what if I don’t, that would only take away from that. We feel horrible he had to address some of the issues that are going on, but nothing’s more important than getting it right. That’s really where I spend my time and attention.”

Quinn said he feels “horrible” that owner Arthur Blank had to address the media about the state of the franchise his plans moving forward. 

“I feel horrible that he even has to have a press conference or a makeshift press conference to do that, because we just want to get it right,” Quinn said, via Pro Football Tlak. “We want to get it right for him. We want to get it right for the fans. The good thing about having a good relationship with him is everything that was said publicly has already been discussed certainly privately. But he’s at the top of the list that you want to do it right for because of the type of support he gives. Certainly feel terrible that he had to have a makeshift press conference based on our team and our performance so far.”

• Per ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, Falcons HC Dan Quinn said QB Matt Ryan would be close to playing if they had a game this week and should be ready for Atlanta’s game against the Saints following the bye. 

Panthers

• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora expects Panthers QB Cam Newton to miss two more weeks as he continues rehabbing his foot injury.
• Panthers HC Ron Rivera says Newton is “still in the middle” of his rehab program and the team will start QB Kyle Allen this week against the Titans. (Joseph Person)
• Rivera told reporters that second-round rookie OT Greg Little, who has been in the concussion protocol since Week 4, would not miss the rest of the season. Rivera added he’d have an update Wednesday. (Person)
• The Panthers have kept a roster spot open and Rivera didn’t rule out filling it with a trade by Tuesday’s deadline, either for a wide receiver or tackle. (David Newton)

Saints

• According to the Athletic’s Nick Underhill, while the Saints are exploring their trade options at the deadline, they have had zero discussions about Giants WR Golden Tate.