The St. Louis Rams will start CB Kevin Dockery in place of Ron Bartell, similar to what they did last week against Tampa Bay. Bartell is battling a shoulder injury and a bruised thigh. That presents something of a matchup problem for the Rams versus Carolina WR Steve Smith.
The Rams added CB Quincy Butler last week, giving them an extra, experienced hand in the backfield. He's best as a nickel.
The Rams inactives this week are: S Darian Stewart, S Michael Lewis, CB Justin King, TE Fendi Onobun, OT Jason Smith, WR Danario Alexander, DT Darrell Scott and DE Eugene Sims.
Most of those guys are injured; well, they all are except for Lewis, who the Rams added this week. I'm a little surprised he's on the bench, but having not played in a few weeks maybe he just wasn't ready.
Also notable for the Rams is that Bryan Kehl will start on the weakside in place of Larry Grant, who has been shaky against the run and in coverage recently.
Renardo Foster is starting at RT in place of Jason Smith, so expect a TE on that side most of the day.
DeAngelo Williams and OT Jeff Otah are out for the Panthers.
Steven Jackson is starting today, but ESPN's Chris Mortensen is reporting that there are some inside the Rams organization who wonder about how much he'll be able to play because his pain level is "significant."