CHARLOTTE — Dave Canales and staff have a lot of decisions to make with their secondary this week, following the one-game suspension of safety Tre'von Moehrig.

"We have a bunch of guys that we're bringing in," Canales told reporters on Tuesday. "We have guys in the building that we'll talk through."

The league suspended Moehrig for one game after he threw a punch below the belt against San Francisco 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings towards the end of Monday night's game. Canales said after the game that he would talk to Moehrig about what happened. On Tuesday afternoon, the coach provided an update, saying that conversation had occurred.

"He and I had a good conversation," Canales said. "Obviously, I'll keep all those things private between Tre and I."

Moehrig—who is currently second on the team with 81 tackles and leads the group with 10 tackles for loss—does have the option to appeal the suspension, but Canales said he wasn't aware of what decision Moehrig and his agent would make in that regard.

The Panthers will now be without their veteran while facing one of the league's top offenses, the Los Angeles Rams, in Week 13. The safety will be eligible to return on Monday, December 1, which leads into the Panthers' bye week.

In the meantime, opportunities will open up for younger guys on the roster, such as Demani Richardson. The club, as Canales said, will look at options this week. They also signed veteran Isaiah Simmons to the practice squad on Tuesday.

While technically a linebacker, Canales concurred he could be an option to fill the box defender role Moehrig has been playing in games.

"We're going to figure that part out," Canales said, as to whether Simmons would be playing linebacker or safety. "He's also been a contributor on special teams, but he's a big, fast athlete, worth just bringing in, getting him out there, getting comfortable with our schemes and hearing our words."

Asked if Simmons has a chance to be elevated against the Rams, on a short week, Canales said, "He may."

Regardless of who is on the field Sunday, the coach's challenge is to embrace what will be a tough week, capped by an opportunity to make a statement.

"A short week has its challenges," Canales admitted, "but at the same time, this is the next championship opportunity, and we got to make sure that when the players roll back in tomorrow, we're ready to get back to our processes, get into the game plan, and get ready for the Rams."

Canales wants to make sure run game "comes alive"

Canales reiterated his desire to get the run game going, in particular, among a number of "collective" improvements they had to make on offense.

The Panthers got just nine carries combined out of Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, despite the team averaging 5.3 yards per attempt.

"Offensively, just could not get our rhythm going, and really it just started off with the run game," Canales said. "I have to make sure that that comes alive. That's a part of who we are. It's a part of what we believe in, and we have two great backs that contribute to this team. The offensive line was blocking well, and that was a missed opportunity by me, and I'll do better in that regard."

When asked if he gave up on the run too early, Canales said it was broader-based than that.

"Yeah, not too early, just in general," he said. "I think that's the part that I can take accountability for, is making sure that it's a part of it throughout the process, throughout the game.

"It gives us great balance, and I love to give the ball to Rico, love to give the ball to Cuba, so that they can make an impact on the game in their own way."

Injury updates on both sides of the ball

The Panthers are dealing with a number of injuries, including to rookie cornerback Corey Thornton, who was lost for the season to a fractured fibula that will require surgery.

Also, cornerback Jaycee Horn and linebacker Claudin Cherelus are in the concussion protocol and will have to be cleared by an independent neurologist.

Canales also mentioned that Moehrig's "got something going on with his ankle, he's being evaluated as well, and he'll be day to day."

The Panthers also lost guard Chandler Zavala during the game to a calf injury.

They'll have a full injury report out tomorrow, since tomorrow is Wednesday.

Canales did say there's some hope they get linebacker Trevin Wallace back this week. He and Christian Rozeboom were out on Monday, leaving them thin when Cherelus left the game. Veteran Krys Barnes, promoted from the practice squad for the third and final time, would need to be added to the 53-man roster to play again, but Canales suggested that's something they're considering.

"That's certainly part of our discussion right now," he said. "Love the way Krys played, played physical, was playing good assignment football, and Bam Martin-Scott also got in at the end and really flashed, showed some athleticism and length, and just instinctually getting to the ball and then the run game in different ways."