While standing on the Panthers’ sideline for the entire game Thursday night, I saw several things that suggested their game plan was geared more toward passing than running the ball.

How about the Dolphins? Two inexcusable penalties from the offensive line in a row, and they come back and run for a key first down on third-and-16? Okay.

A number of notable players, including Brian Westbrook, Ronnie Brown, Kyle Orton and Michael Turner, sustained injuries in Week 11.

Panthers WR Steve Smith left Sunday’s matchup with the Falcons moments after scoring his second touchdown of the game, but he returned during the third quarter.

Panthers LT Jordan Gross was carted off the field with his right leg immobilized and will not return to Sunday’s game against the Falcons with what the team called an ankle injury.

After a visit to Carolina Panthers training camp, it appears WR Dwayne Jarrett has made a lot of progress, rookie DE Everette Brown may have been a steal in the second round, and the loss DT Maa’ka Kemoeatu will force the team to bring in a veteran for help.

Usually teams take hits in free agency. But at this time of year, positions do. Right now, two of the most attractive tackles have been taken off the market, but there is still some value at the position.

Well, that didn’t take long. Moments after completing a deal for offensive tackle Jordan Gross, the Carolina Panthers designated Julius Peppers as their franchise player, a league source confirmed Thursday.

With one signing, Carolina retained offensive tackle Jordan Gross and kept control of defensive end Julius Peppers.

Carolina and Gross reached agreement Thursday on a record six-year contract that will pay out $30.5 million in the first three years of the deal, a league source said.

The Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald reports that Panthers OT Jordan Gross has signed a six-year deal to remain with the team. Gross was happy to finish the deal, which reportedly will pay him $30.5 million through the first three years.<str

There is yet another wrinkle to introduce into the Julius Peppers-Carolina Panthers saga. Any team that trades for the Panthers Pro Bowl defensive end will have to satisfy not only Carolina but Peppers as well.

The Charlotte Observer reports that Panthers DE Julius Pepper’s trade wish list has just four teams, and three of them are in the NFC. The Panthers already have ruled out two of the teams, leading the newspaper source to believe those teams are in the NFC South, Carolina’s division.

Carolina is making a strong push to sign prospective free-agent OT Jordan Gross by Thursday, which would enable the team to then slap its franchise tag on DE Julius Peppers.

Even though Thursday is the final day for teams to slap a franchise tag on players, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers said he is uncertain whether he will be designated the Panthers’ franchise player.

The Panthers received some much-needed good news along their offensive line on Thursday when starting tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah returned to practice.