How to watch, listen and follow: Panthers vs. Buccaneers in Week 7

The Panthers will don the black, blue, black combination for the second time this season, bringing back a proven divisional winner.

The Panthers will be without outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Thomas Incoom this week, and rookie tackle Monroe Freeling is listed as questionable after practicing fully all week.

The two rookie defensive backs made a pact this spring to the best rookie duo in the league. They're on track, breaking records and playing with a "violence" that is already helping the Panthers win games.

The Panthers defensive tackle doesn't love coming off the field at all, but he understands there's a strategy behind it. So if that means playing (only) 69 percent of the snaps instead of 90 percent, that's a sacrifice he's (grudgingly) willing to make.

The Panthers were still without outside linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Thomas Incoom on Thursday, but the rest of the roster participated in practice, as they prepare for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.

The Panthers let tight end Mitchell Evans go back to his quarterback roots, as they try to mix it up in short-yardage and third and fourth downs. Plus more on Devin Lloyd and Bobby Okereke, and how one injury changes a lot on special teams.

For the third time in six games, the Panthers defense is creating a game plan without being entirely certain who they'll face at quarterback on Sunday. Baker Mayfield is pushing to return to the field, but there are still markers the Bucs want to see him reach.

The Panthers quarterback is playing at a high level this season, but his teammates know when they see that smile, something good is usually coming. And since he leads the league in passing yards per game, there are a lot of smiles all around.

The Panthers are going to be without a pair of outside linebackers this week, as Jaelan Phillips and Thomas Incoom aren't expected to be ready for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers. Plus more from Wednesday's practice.

The Panthers had four players on veteran rest days on Wednesday, as they began preparations for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers