Panthers WR Steve Smith expected to play

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted earlier this morning that "barring an unforeseen setback," Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith is expected to play against the New Orleans Saints. Smith has a knee injury that has limited Smith in practice, most recently on Thursday when the Carolina coaching staff shut him down due to soreness. He's been listed as questionable throughout the week.

Fantasy Analysis:

Confirmation is still needed and should come in the next couple hours which would definitively tell us whether Smith plays or not. Given New Orleans' defensive ineptitude last week, having Smith on the field would be huge for not only their chance to win this game, but for fantasy owners as well. Earlier in the week, head coach Ron Rivera told the Charlotte Observer that Smith would play "without a doubt." For the time being, that looks to be the case.