Carolina Panthers cornerback Darius Butler is on track to start in Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears in place of Chris Gamble, coach Ron Rivera said Friday.
Gamble is still recovering from a concussion he suffered in the team's 16-10 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. He did not practice Friday and is listed as doubtful.
Butler joined the Panthers on Sept. 6, five days before the team's first game, after the New England Patriots waived the former second-round draft pick.
“Darius Butler is very likely going to be the guy who plays for us,” Rivera told the Gaston Gazette on Friday.
Tackle Jeff Otah was downgraded to questionable Friday with back problems. Rivera said backup Byron Bell would see playing time regardless of Otah's availability.
“The biggest thing is when we played the first game (Otah) went from 10 reps to 50, and that was rough,” Rivera said, per the Gazette. “So we said let's just continue to take reps away until he builds up (his conditioning).”
For a complete look at all injuries around the league, go to NFL.com's injury page.