Matt Rhule says owner David Tepper is “tremendously supportive”

— While the result Sunday was obviously not what they wanted, Rhule said he was encouraged when he looked back at the film and saw the kind of effort he was looking for.

“The biggest thing for us is to play these last two games the right way,” Rhule said. “I saw some areas, we had a lot of young guys out there, but I saw guys like Shaq Thompson running sideline to sideline, I saw guys like DaQuan Jones giving tremendous effort inside. Some of our defensive linemen played their best games. Watching Derrick Brown, taking some real steps right now. You see Yetur Gross-Matos really coming on. We know we have a lot, a lot of work to do right now. I think the best thing we can do right now is focus on where we’re at.”

— Rhule said that because he hasn’t talked to the players involved yet, he didn’t want to make a declarative statement about his plans at quarterback this week. They started Cam Newton, and he played 26 snaps, with Sam Darnold coming on and playing the other 44.

“In light of our unique circumstances now, I’ll address that very definitively on Wednesday,” Rhule said.

— Rhule wasn’t sure whether Stephon Gilmore would be able to return this week or not, but said the veteran cornerback indicated his injury was not as severe as it first appeared.

Gilmore left Sunday’s game with a groin injury and did not return.

“I talked to Stephon last night. He said it didn’t seem as serious,” Rhule said. “That being said, they’re running him through some tests today, so I’ll wait to see where he’s at medically.

“Stephon’s a true professional, so when he says it’s not as bad as first thought, . . . obviously he’s a guy who wants to play. So I’ll have to wait and see what the doctors say today.”