DT Louis Leonard broke his ankle on the final defensive snap of Sunday's game. (AP Photo)

   CHARLOTTE -- The injury bug has bitten the Carolina Panthers defensive tackle position yet again.
   Panthers coach John Fox said Monday that Louis Leonard fractured his ankle in Sunday's 28-20 loss to Atlanta, but wouldn't say at this point if he'll go on injured reserve. Leonard was acquired in a trade from Cleveland to replace Maake Kemoeatu, who ruptured his Achilles during the first practice of training camp.
   When asked if the team will put Leonard on injured reserve, Fox said, "They're still evaluating that so we'll keep you posted. No new update at this point."

   However, putting Leonard on injured reserve seems to be the logical move since the Panthers will need his roster spot. They have only three defensive tackles on the roster and one of them, Nick Hayden, didn't play Sunday because of a toe injury. The other two are steady veteran Damione Lewis and rookie Sunny Harris, who joined the team the week before the regular season and played in his first NFL game on Sunday as a backup.
   Fox wouldn't say if Hayden is expected to return to practice this week.
   "Typically we go into a game with three (defensive tackles), so we'll evaluate that and who's available and what our best move will be," Fox said.
   Leonard injured his ankle on the final defensive play of Sunday's 28-20 loss to Atlanta. Leonard was in obvious pain after the game and left the locker room on crutches.
   "I thought he had played pretty well in the game and he would have contiinued to get better," Fox said of Leonard, who had one of Carolina's two sacks this season.
   The Panthers have been in this position before and elected to fill roster spots with younger players in Leonard and Harris rather than signing a veteran.
   A year ago, all 11 starters started all 16 games, but the Panthers haven't had as much luck keeping guys on the field this year. Strong safety Chris Harris has missed the first two games with a knee injury. Outside linebacker Thomas Davis, middle linebacker Jon Beason and safety Charles Godfrey all missed time during the preseason, although they've played against Philadelphia and Atlanta.
   "It varies year to year," Fox said of the rash of injuries. "There's no question that injuries have been problematic.  They have been in the preseson and they've continued into the regular season. It happens to different teams at different times."
   Also, fullback Brad Hoover has back spasms and linebacker Na'il Diggs bruised his ribs. They'll be listed as day-to-day.