CHARLOTTE — The scoreboards at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday never showed the score of the Buccaneers-Dolphins game, because Panthers head coach Dave Canales wanted his guys locked in on the job in front of them.

That won't be a problem this week, since the only score that matters is for the game they're in.

Canales said that heading into Saturday's (mostly) win-and-in game against the Bucs, keeping their attention focused shouldn't be an issue.

"Absolutely, that's got to be the mentality, and that's a weekly thing," Canales said. "It's a weekly discipline that we have to get back to work. We have to focus on the task at hand. It's a true championship moment. 'Shirts and hats' games, it's what you work so hard for all year. It's right in front of us. It's going to be fantastic. We're excited about it, and that's enough. That's enough for the guys to understand this is your shot. This is the last shot we have, and I think the important part for me is when you truly get to this moment where this is the last game unless you win, that's got to be the focus on a weekly basis. This is the only one we have. This is it. It requires everything of us.

"It requires a discipline to block out external distractions, different things that might take you away from your normal preparation physically, mentally, emotionally, just making sure that we get ourselves fresh and completely prepared so we can be confident and fast on game day. This is truly it. This is what you preach about, and it's a great reminder for the group, and I just, I can't wait to get the guys back in the building tomorrow so we can get right to it with the game plan."

Since this is a condensed week, a few things are changing other than the stakes. For one, Canales gave players Monday off in place of their normal Tuesday, and they'll go through their usual week of practice starting Tuesday. That means they didn't do the full "tell the truth Monday" routine, but Canales said that after watching the film of Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with coaches, they'll address specific things individually with players tomorrow.

They want to learn from the mistakes of Sunday, but with only one game left that matters, that's where all the focus is this week.

The new plan at tight end

When Ja'Tavion Sanders was injured on the first play from scrimmage Sunday, things inevitably changed for the Panthers' offense. A group that has leaned on three tight end sets in recent weeks to pound the ball was all of a sudden down a man.

"We were able to use Jake Curhan a little bit in the run game and some things that way," Canales explained Monday, "but it's a couple of plays in 13 personnel (one backs, three tight ends) that we would have liked to put out there."

Instead, the offense had to quickly adjust to more two-tight end packages against the third-best rushing defense in the league.

"I thought Mitchell Evans and Tommy Tremble did a great job in our 12-personnel, different things that we asked them to do," continued Canales.

In the end, though, Carolina only managed 99 rushing yards. Evans and Tremble both caught one pass each in the passing game and Evans successfully converted a QB sneak on fourth-and-1. With Sanders now out for the year as he awaits surgery on his ankle, the Panthers will turn to James Mitchell as that third tight end.

Mitchell spent his first three seasons in the league with the Lions and joined Carolina this offseason. He's appeared in four games for the Panthers, with three catches on three receptions for 28 yards, while playing 15.7 percent of the offensive snaps across those four games (Weeks 4-6, 13).

"We trust James a lot," said Canales, in answer to whether he'd have to change how he's called those plays in the past."He has some versatility in the pass game and in the blocking game, whether it's a run or protection. So, we feel confident that James will be able to come in and allow us to build the plans like we've done."

Wait and see mode for IR players

The Panthers have two potential starters awaiting return from injured reserve. Both offensive lineman Robert Hunt and receiver David Moore have had their 21-day practice windows opened in the past two weeks and are in play to return for either the regular-season finale on Saturday or a potential playoff game.

Asked on Monday if either could play this week, Canales said, "We're still considering all those things."

Moore's window was opened on December 17, meaning he'd have to be added back to the active roster anytime between now and January 7, while Hunt saw his 21-day clock start on December 24, meaning he until January 14.

Following Hunt's first day of practice last week, the right tackle told reporters, "I'm not going to say a date, but I can be ready soon if I take care of my body, do it the right way. I know my body just needs a tune-up, man."

Evaluating the offensive line after Seahawks game

When playing one of the league's top-ranked defenses, there is a lot that can stress an offense. That was the case for the Panthers on Sunday. The immediate aftermath—seeing 99 rushing yards, two sacks, four quarterback hurries, and 10 quarterback pressures—would make it easy to point to the offense line and ask what happened.

And there is some of that to an extent. But after watching the tape Sunday night, Canales said Monday that the unit wasn't solely responsible for the offense struggling in the loss.

"I thought the group generally did a good job," the coach said. "The Seahawks certainly got some wins. They had some nice stunts where they came free, some one-on-one wins.

"I felt like, consistently though, there was enough time to operate, and Bryce felt that too. He was going through his progressions. There were times he had to move and get out of the pocket. That's life in the big leagues. That's the NFL."

Young scrambled on 13.3 percent of his plays Sunday, and the offense as a total finished with just 139 yards. It was a collective effort and issue, though, according to Canales.

"I didn't see the offensive line as being a real, limiting factor to what we could do yesterday," he said. "I think just collectively, we didn't take advantage of some opportunities in the run game and also in the pass game.

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu worked back from a knee injury suffered in Week 15 against the Saints, one that kept him sidelined in Week 16 against the Bucs.

"I have confidence in this group, and I'm proud of Ickey to be able to get himself back off of a knee sprain to get back out there for his teammates," Canales added. "Really proud of the way he played. He wasn't perfect, but I'll take Ickey with the version of Ickey that we got because of just the heart and soul of the guy, how much he cares about his teammates."