Byron

Bell

A journeyman tackle-guard, Bell was thrown into the starting lineup in Week 4 and started nine consecutive games before getting hurt. He was getting thoroughly dominated, grading out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 73 guard out of 80 qualifiers. The Packers signed OG Nico Siragusa to take his spot.

Along with Bell, RT Bryan Bulaga (knee) and LG Lane Taylor (foot) were also declared inactive, meaning the Packers are down three of their five starters. Even against the Falcons, Green Bay could struggle to protect Aaron Rodgers. QB Tim Boyle, CB Natrell Jamerson, OLB Kendall Donnerson, and DL James Looney round out the inactive list.

Starting RG Justin McCray is dealing with a shoulder injury and likely won’t be available. Bell made two starts at left tackle for the Cowboys last season but failed to get the nod at guard. He’s still a capable utility lineman that can play both tackle and on the inside. McCray’s status beyond Week 4 is unknown.

Otah worked with the second-team offense. Coach Ron Rivera is adamant that Otah will have to earn his spot after missing all but four games over the past two years. Bell, the incumbent starting right tackle, is a subpar talent and 2011 rookie free agent. He was the weak link of Carolina’s front five last season.

"(Bell) played pretty doggone well last year,” Rivera said. “We were one of the top scoring teams in the league last year with him in there at right tackle. We think a year of experience bodes well for him and he’ll continue to grow.”

The Panthers have already set the wheels in motion to turn the right tackle job over to Byron Bell. “There were (teams interested in Otah) before, so I don’t know,” GM Marty Hurney said, suggesting he will continue to work the phones.

Bell saw most of the first-string snaps in OTAs. Williams started 11 games in 2010 before spending last season on injured reserve with a broken ankle. Campbell is the most physically gifted of the trio, but never came close to cracking the starting lineup in Oakland.

Bridges spent three years in Carolina from 2006-08 before signing with the Cardinals in 2009. The Panthers are looking for alternatives up front after six of Cam Newton’s seven Week 10 sacks came on missed assignments. RT Byron Bell was responsible for a pair of them.

Bell started inside at guard against the Cowboys, while Garry Williams started at right tackle, but second-year player Jeff Byers is now lining up as the team’s right guard in practice this week. After center Ryan Kalil went down in Week 5, veteran Geoff Hangartner was shifted to the middle. Bell graded out poorly at guard against Dallas, so Carolina is kicking him back outside. He’ll have his hands full with the Bears pass rush on Sunday.

Both players resumed practicing on Monday. Veteran Garry Williams held his own against the Giants while filling in for Bell. Davis had been splitting time with Luke Kuechly before the hamstring injury.