Carolina quarterback Cam Newton and Los Angeles running back Todd Gurley are in for the opener between the Panthers and Rams.The question is what impact there will be https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Cameron-Artis-Payne-Jersey , if any, from injuries that slowed both stars in the preseason.Newton wasn’t listed on the injury report and practiced all week after spraining a foot in his only exhibition appearance, against New England two weeks ago. The Panthers have maintained they expected Newton to be available at home against the Rams on Sunday.Gurley has refused to go into any specifics about a surgically repaired left knee that has bothered the two-time All Pro going back to late last season and into playoffs. He simply said the knee was “fine,” and that, “It’s just football https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/J.J.-Jansen-Jersey , bro.”It’s difficult to know if it means anything that Gurley didn’t play in the preseason because coach Sean McVay routinely sits most starters for all the exhibitions. McVay said he didn’t anticipate any restrictions in the workload for Gurley.Buffalo receiver and kickoff returner Andre Roberts has been ruled out against the New York Jets because of a quadriceps injury. The 10-year veteran was an All-Pro last season after leading the NFL in kickoff return yards.Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is expected to make his Cleveland debut at home against Tennessee despite a hip injury that sidelined the former New York Giants star in the preseason. Beckham was a full participant in practice Thursday and Friday.Jacksonville quarterback Nick Foles was listed on the injury report this week with an abdominal oblique issue that bothered him coming out of training camp. He’s expected to play as well, but the blocking in front of him is among the questions on the offensive lines of several teams.The Jaguars likely will be without starting left tackle Cam Robinson against Kansas City, and maybe longer. Robinson injured his right knee in practice Thursday and was listed as doubtful.It’s not the knee that sidelined Robinson for 14 games last season. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against New England in Week 2 and spent the last 11 months working his way back.Making matters worse for the Jaguars, backup offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi was ruled out because of a nagging hamstring injury. That leaves second-year pro Will Richardson to make his first career start, and not at his usual position.Titans right guard Kevin Pamphile missed practice for the second straight day Friday with a knee injury and is listed as questionable against the Browns. Tennessee is already without three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Mike-Adams-Jersey , who is suspended the first four games.Atlanta right tackle Matt Gono is out against Minnesota because of a back injury. He had been battling for the starting job with Kaleb McGary. The rookie could split snaps with Ty Sambrailo after missing most of the preseason to undergo a heart procedure.Cincinnati left tackle Cordy Glenn was ruled out against Seattle. Andre Smith will start in his place.San Francisco should get to see its big additions at defensive end together for the first time against Tampa Bay after rookie No. 2 overall pick Nick Bosa and trade acquisition Dee Ford didn’t play in the preseason because of injuries sustained in camp.Bosa had a high-ankle sprain while Ford was slowed by knee tendinitis. Both were healthy enough to practice this week.Dallas is set to open against the New York Giants with four defensive starters who didn’t play in the preseason and missed most of the practices.Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence had offseason shoulder surgery, while fellow pass rusher Tyrone Crawford and cornerback Byron Jones dealt with hip issues. Linebacker Sean Lee injured a knee early in camp. Winning at the line of scrimmage is important for any defense to be successful. Will Carolina use the draft to improve on their subpar 2018 results?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomNFL DraftCarolina Panthers Film RoomSenior BowlFilm room scouting report on Arizona State defensive tackle Renell WrenNew,18commentsWinning at the line of scrimmage is important for any defense to be successful. Will Carolina use the draft to improve on their subpar 2018 results?ESTShareTweetShareShareFilm room scouting report on Arizona State defensive tackle Renell WrenMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsThe defensive tackle position was once heralded to be a strength of the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. The Panthers, smartly https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Matt-Kalil-Jersey , allowed Star Lotulelei to walk in free agency. They attempted to replace Star by signing Dontari Poe. Poe massively disappointed the expectations placed upon him. He was one of the worst run defenders in the NFL and he only generated 13 total pressures. In addition, Kawaan Short didn’t have the sort of all pro campaign many expected. He finished with 34 total pressures on the season, which ranks No. 27 among interior defenders. Given his contract and age, his future as a top tier defensive tackle has to be questioned. Vernon Butler has not lived up to his draft position. The only positive from the position group was Kyle Love. Love is 33 years old and relying on aging talents is one of the reasons Carolina’s defense struggled. On the whole though, winning at the line of scrimmage is important for any defense to be successful. The lack of production from this position group in 2018 was one of the primary culprits for Carolina’s poor defense. They have to find better talent to control the line of scrimmage in 2019. A prospect who seems to have helped himself this week during Senior Bowl practices is Arizona State defensive tackle Renell Wren.In both of these clips https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Captain-Munnerlyn-Jersey , Wren displays power and speed. It should be mentioned that this drill heavily favors the defensive tackle, but that functional strength and first step quickness is eye gushing for any evaluator. I noticed these same qualities on film too.Wren’s game filmWren did not have elite production at ASU, but it’s important to understand the role he was playing for their front. He was asked to occupy multiple blockers as a 1-technique (lined up in front of the center). As the practice clips show, he is at his best when he can rush up field and attack 1-gap. Wren’s first step on this play demonstrates his ability to create havoc on the interior. It’s not just limited to him timing the snap count either, he has the athleticism to slip through reach blocks. This is where his first step and athleticism show up in concert. He is the first to move https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/David-Mayo-Jersey , but then takes a step laterally before moving up field to bring down the ball carrier. Wren receives plenty of attention by offenses due to his role as a gap occupier. He is still able to leverage his first step to create disruption in the backfield. He won’t get credit for this play on the stat sheet, but he was primarily responsible for affecting the run.Wren also displays ideal power from his lower body. He’s able to demolish the center on this play thanks to his get off, hand placement, and power generated from his lower body. The issue with Wren, however https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Devin-Funchess-Jersey , are his counter moves as a pass rusher. These two plays illustrate the problem when he doesn’t have a plan. The offensive lineman is able to control him, but Wren is also not able to disengage. He has the requisite length, but he has to learn how to utilize it better to affect the quarterback more consistently. The clips coming out of Mobile provide some optimism that if Wren is employed as a 1-gap penetrator, then his skill set can translate. Fit with CarolinaI understand that it is easy to mock the Panthers for drafting a defensive tackle because Dave Gettleman was so infatuated with it, but they have to improve the position. As of now https://www.carolinapanthersfanshop.com/Mario-Addison-Jersey , Wren is an ideal Day Two target for Carolina. The linebackers have a much tougher job when the defensive line isn’t functioning, which it wasn’t for the 2018 season. Wren has the size, athleticism, and high ceiling target that could help the Panthers defense for the short and long term.