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Q: How healthy is the team after Friday's game? Elijah Fields and Cameron Saddler both left with ankle injuries and Mick Williams was limited with a thigh bruise. Who is probable or doubtful for this game? If Fields is out does that mean walk-on Marco Pecora is the back-up at safety?

Chris Will, North Hills

ZEISE: Cameron Saddler is out for the Connecticut game and likely longer. That means Aundre Wright and Antwuan Reed will return kicks and Aaron Smith will again be returning punts. Dave Wannstedt said today he expects Fields to practice this week and play. If Fields doesn't play, I would expect (at least looking at the depth chart) that Irvan Brown would start and Jared Holley would be the back-up at both safety spots. Mick Williams played a lot of snaps on Friday and though he was limited at practice, didn't look like he was bothered much during the game. I think he'll be fine and he'll continue to heal a little bit more this week. I wouldn't worry about him.

Q: Do you think it is time for the Panthers to at least get Max Gruder off of the field in passing situations. I know he played better on Friday, but Louisville is a bad team, and he was beaten by a slow fullback on one passing situation, and faked out of shoes on another.

Mark Schilajew, Huntingdon, Pa.

ZEISE: No for a couple of reasons. One, he has improved each week and I think the N.C. State game was one of those baptism by fire games where both he and Greg Williams learned some tough lessons by getting toasted. Max will be fine as he continues to gain experience and learn what he needs to do in more situations. The other thing is, I don't know that there is a better alternative on the team right now. Shane Murray is still a step slow as he is trying to recover from that knee injury and Manny Williams has less experience and would be more lost than Gruder. I suppose you could move Gunn over but I think he showed against Louisville that his experience in the middle is too valuable to ignore and by using him in the middle, it enables coaches to bring Dan Mason along slowly. Max will be fine, just give him some time to gain some experience and grow into his role.

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