Just returned from Friday's practice where coach John Fox has added two starters to the injury report -- free safety Deke Cooper as questionable and defensive end Mike Rucker as probable. Both are new injuries and are officially listed as "thigh," which in the FIT guide (Fox Injury Translation) means they have strained hamstrings. Apparently hamstring has become a taboo word in the NFL. Can't explain why.

   Cooper apparently injured his hamstring -- er, "thigh" -- during Thursday's practice Fox said, although the media was not updated on the injury until Friday. Cooper was limited in practice, but I'd still expect both he and Rucker to play against the Texans on Sunday.

   The more pressing injury update is to defensive end Stanley McClover, who is listed as doubtful and is likely to miss his second straight game with a groin injury. His injury, by the way, is also listed as "thigh." That means the Panthers will likely be thin at defensive end again this week. McClover had practiced on Wednesday, but must have irritated the injury and has not practiced the last two days.

   Also, Nate Salley (knee) is listed as out.

   I tried to ask Fox about the Patriots cheating scandal after practice, but he would not answer any questions related to the punishment handed down by the NFL.