Through six weeks of the 2011 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers have done a lot of growing as a team, but not a lot of winning. The Panthers are 1-5 entering their Week 7 home game against the Washington Redskins. Their 31-17 loss last Sunday in Atlanta was their third consecutive defeat, but only the first game of the season that was decided by more than seven points. There has been zero talk about internal frustration or discord in Carolina, but it will be interesting to see if Ron Rivera can keep the locker room together if Carolina continues to come up just short.
This Sunday certainly presents a solid opportunity to notch their second win of the year. Not only are the Redskins making a change at quarterback, they might also be without two key starters in their defensive backfield. Carolina, meanwhile, looks to be in good shape injury-wise. LB Omar Gaither (knee), S Jordan Pugh (head) and Jeremy Shockey (not injury related) were the lone trio to miss Thursday's practice. No Panthers players were limited in their participation, and TE Greg Olsen (toe) and LB Thomas Williams (head) returned to practice on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's activity.
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