BROCKEL LIKELY TO SEE MORE TIME ON THE FIELD TODAY

The Panthers are prepared to play without running back Jonathan Stewart, who has a high ankle sprain. That could mean more playing time for Richie Brockel (Boise State). DeAngelo Williams would start at tailback, and fullback Mike Tolbert would back up Williams. Brockel, normally a tight end, would then see action in Tolbert’s spot.

• Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith (Idaho State) was the subject of a lengthy article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last week. He talked about how his hard-partying days are behind him now that he’s a family man. Read the story at: jsonline.com/sports/packers/

• Cardinals offensive lineman Nate Potter (Boise State) has garnered positive reviews since working his way into the lineup. Here’s what Revenge of the Birds contributor Alex Mann wrote after last week’s game: “Is it just me or does Potter continue to impress? I know he gets help, but when he’s given one-on-one matchups he holds his ground. I’m excited for his future in this league and I just learned that if he had come out last year, teams were ready to snag him in the first round. Guess we got a steal, huh?”

• Lions quarterback Kellen Moore (Boise State) has mostly toiled behind the scenes, but offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said Moore has been improving. “Oh yeah. I mean, he works very hard,” Linehan told mlive.com. “He doesn’t get a lot of reps, Shaun (Hill) takes a lot. But that kid works extremely hard and he’s extremely bright. His future is ahead of him.”

• The Browns’ defensive line is getting healthier. Defensive coordinator Dick Jauron was asked last week how that has affected Billy Winn (Boise State). “We’ve gotten to rest him,” Jauron said. “He was taking lots of snaps early in the year. We’ve gotten to rest him more and he’s playing both tackle and defensive end for us and doing some other things too in other packages. Really, so far, knock on wood, Billy has had a terrific year.”

Compiled by Chris Langrill,The Idaho Statesman