Panthers have hole to fill

CHARLOTTE -- Aside from his daughter's signature, there's not much Brad Hoover likes about the cast he's wearing on his right foot and ankle.

"I wish they'd cut it off right now," he said Thursday.

The sight of Hoover on crutches only begins to tell the story of the dilemma the Carolina Panthers face this week as they try to find ways to address the absence of their top three options to play fullback Sunday against the unbeaten New Orleans Saints.

Hoover, the usual starter and a 10-year veteran, has a high ankle sprain that could cause him to miss multiple games. Rookie Tony Fiammetta, Hoover's backup, is sidelined with a concussion. And Dante Rosario, a tight end who sometimes plays fullback, has an injured knee.

Hoover and Fiammetta were injured in the third quarter of Sunday's win at Arizona - Hoover on a running play and Fiammetta while playing on the kickoff unit.

"Both of us being hurt definitely has put the team in a tough spot, that and having Dante out," Hoover said. "Technically, we have three guys who can play that position, who have [done it] at a very high level.

"We're having to go elsewhere in our room, [or] elsewhere with maybe linemen, just trying to find an answer to have an 'F' on the field."

Coach John Fox wasn't about to drop hints about how he will address the opening but described the importance of the fullback's role in his run-oriented offense as "huge."

"The blocking element is important, and the fullback is a big part of that blocking element," Fox said. "You make do and you adjust and you put people in there who know your system."

The Panthers chose not to sign a free agent for the week.

"We'll see if it's the right decision or not," Fox said.

Fox's options include using another tight end, a lineman or a running back at the fullback spot. The fullback's job assignment centers heavily on being the lead blocker for running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

The injuries hit just as the Panthers' running game was finding its groove. Carolina recorded two of the top three single-game rushing performances in franchise history in the past three weeks, gaining 267 yards Oct. 18 at Tampa and 270 last week at Arizona.

The Panthers (3-4) are fifth in the NFL in rushing, averaging 148.9 yards per game.

Hoover's absence could hinder the chances of Williams and Stewart breaking loose. Hoover is a former running back, so he chooses where to block based on where he thinks Williams or Stewart will want to run.

When asked if he's concerned by the unavailability of Hoover and the other top fullback reserves, Williams said his concern is that they return to health but that he "has the utmost confidence" the Panthers will find a way to compensate for the loss.

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