Once again, Panthers hoping to get the run game going against the Lions

“Well, rain,” Canales said Friday, his face brightening like the skies aren’t expected to. “I mean, it’s going to be raining on both of us, so then all of a sudden the whole game comes down to the run game and who can execute it better.

“And that’s been something that we’ve been trying to get going, and the Lions as well, they’ve had some fantastic days running the ball, and they’ve had a couple where it’s kind of been middle of the road. We’ve been trying to get a consistency in our run game, so when it does pour, depending on the type of rain, of course, that is a factor.”

Among the other Panthers injuries this week, they’re also without left guard Damien this week, perhaps their most consistent lineman this year. He’ll be replaced by Corey Bullock, but the entire group is aware of what’s happened in three games this season, and why it isn’t consistent with the way they’re built.