Comments from Carolina Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera.
On if the Panthers will make any trades before the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday: We are not talking to anybody about any trades. As of right now, we have no intention. We like our situation, our circumstances, our guys. All this stuff (about Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd) breaks last night, and then I hear it all morning. You hear guys ask. I want to make sure people understand.
On injuries: Jeff Otah (back) worked a little bit today and looked pretty good. Jermale Hines (illness), we sent home because he wasn't feeling very well. He was feeling better than he did yesterday, but we didn't want to push it. Charles Johnson (hip) was full participation today. We don't expect him to have a setback. Omar Gaither (knee) is obviously out for the game.
On if he feels better about tackle Jeff Otah playing against the Atlanta Falcons: Yes, better and better. He worked a little bit today and moved around pretty good actually. Now we'll just see how he is Sunday morning. Yesterday, I wasn't as confident but I felt better today.
On if defensive end Charles Johnson will be ready to play: He had a good day today, too. It's one of those things where something got a little bit out of whack. A little bit of treatment, a little bit of rest and stretching, and it settled down. I got in early this morning, and he was here already getting his treatment. I asked how he felt, and he said, "I feel pretty good. I'll be out there practicing today." So he feels pretty confident that it shouldn't flare up.
On using speakers to pipe in loud noise at practice: Every time we're on the road we will do that. What's happening is because of the way our crowd has been at home, we're going to probably start doing it with our defense on home games, because they've got to work on their communication as well. That's getting to be pretty good though. Any time you can have the fans the way they were last week, that's a huge thing for us.
