Panthers Have 10 Players On Pro Bowl Team

The Carolina Panthers lead the NFL with 10 players selected for the Pro Bowl.

The Panthers are two wins away from a perfect regular season. Quarterback Cam Newton was picked Tuesday for the third time. Five of his teammates were first-time selections, including cornerback Josh Norman and linebacker Thomas Davis.

Norman's assignment, and fellow combatant this past Sunday, Odell Beckham Jr., was one of three Giants named a Pro Bowl starter or alternate.

Norman and Beckham tangled, jawed, shoved, hit late and smacked helmets on the way to a 38-35 win by the Panthers. At one point Beckham made a diving helmet-to-helmet hit on Norman that helped earn Beckham a one-game suspension, which he will appeal on Wednesday. The league cited "multiple violations of safety-related playing rules.'' Norman was flagged once for unsportsmanlike conduct but not suspended.

Norman and Newton lead the wave of Panthers headed to the Pro Bowl that also features tight end Greg Olsen, running back Jonathan Stewart, fullback Mike Tolbert, center Ryan Kalil, guard Trai Turner, linebackers Davis and Luke Kuechly, and defensive tackle Kawann Short.

Dre Brees Has Injured Right Foot

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Ed Werder.

Despite the injury, Brees hopes to continue playing in the Saints' final two games of the regular season, the source said, but the injury complicates his ability to throw because he throws off that right foot.

According to the source, an MRI was sent to Dr. Robert Anderson, the Charlotte specialist who treated Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning for a similar injury.

Manning has missed the past five games with his partially torn plantar fascia. Former Saints tight end Jimmy Graham never missed a game in 2013 when he had a partially torn plantar fascia. However, Graham had the luxury of a bye week to recover, and his snaps were significantly limited when he did return.

Anderson has not yet made a recommendation to Brees, who is believed to be considering several different treatment protocols, the source said.

Thursday, December 24 Schedule (Time Central)

San Diego at Oakland, 7:25 p.m.

Saturday, December 26 Schedule (Time Central)

Washington at Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m.

Sunday, December 27 Schedule (All Times Central)

New England at New York, noon

Houston at Tennessee, noon

Cleveland at Kansas City, noon

Indianapolis at Miami, noon

San Francisco at Detroit, noon

Dallas at Buffalo, noon

Chicago at Tampa Bay, noon

Carolina at Atlanta, noon

Pittsburgh at Baltimore, noon

Jacksonville at New Orleans, 3:05 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 3:25 p.m.

Green Bay at Arizona, 3:25 p.m.

New York at Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, December 28 Schedule (Time Central)

Cincinnati at Denver, 7:30 p.m.