CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers can draw a degree of inspiration from the Kansas City Chiefs.But how much weight that carries might depend on the result between the teams Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium.The Panthers have won two games in a row since starting the season with only one victory across their first six games. A year ago, the Chiefs were 1-5 before rebounding to make the playoffs.It has been done before, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said, referring to the Chiefs responding from a miserable start.For as much commotion as Carolina quarterback Cam Newton has caused around the NFL the past couple of weeks regarding officiating and a dialogue with commissioner Roger Goodell, the Chiefs have their own quarterback news.Thats because Alex Smith, who missed a game with what was listed as a head/ear injury, will be back in action.I feel like I can go through a normal week, Smith said. Im pumped to get back and get going.Smith missed the victory against Jacksonville, with Nick Foles filling in. But the Chiefs (6-2) count on Smith, and thats part of the reason why coach Andy Reid said he thought it was best that he take a week off after hitting his head hard in a game against the Indianapolis Colts.The Chiefs look comfortable when Smith has been at the controls.He runs their offense very well and he has some pretty good weapons around him, Rivera said.Smith also will have the services of running back Spencer Ware, who has been cleared from the leagues concussion protocol. Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (groin), however, will not play, joining defensive end Jaye Howard (hip) on the sideline. Linebacker Justin Houston (knee) is unlikely to make his return as well.Having all the available big-play threats is something that the Chiefs figure they might need this week because Carolinas defense.It jumps out on film how strong they are, Smith said. Theyve played a lot of football at a high level.The Panthers (3-5) are coming off victories against Arizona and the Los Angeles Rams (3-5).You could say theyre back on track, Reid said.Still, the Panthers have an uphill climb in the NFC South, but its not something theyre consumed with at the moment.Weve been focusing on one game at a time and that has been our approach and were not going to change that, Rivera said.The past two weeks, Newton said the Panthers have reaped the rewards that come with putting in the work.We knew we were doing the proper things, Newton said. We were still trying to have the winning ingredients.Newton has been at the center of whats an ongoing conversation regarding protection of quarterbacks, particularly after he called out NFL officiating for what he claimed was putting him in unsafe situations after the most recent home game.Newton said he doesnt want to be caught up in that or other topics that could be distractions.My job is to win football games, not grade myself, he said.Yet Newtons protection is one of the key components for Carolinas game plan.Weve got to keep our pocket clean for our quarterback, Rivera said.Newton said the Chiefs have a very opportunistic defense and we have to control the line of scrimmage. I think thats one of the challenges of the game.Newton said struggles on offense have popped up frequently, pinning the responsibility on the Panthers.We have to have answers, he said. It doesnt matter what defense is called.Carolinas injury situation seemed unclear, with center Ryan Kalil and linebacker Shaq Thompson listed as questionable.Linebacker Thomas Davis 12 tackles and one interception against the Rams were a boost for the Carolina defense while linebacker A.J. Klein filled in for Thompson.Rivera said the Panthers appeared to be a fatigued team, something he attributed to coming off the West Coast trip. He said the energy level will need to be high by the weekend when encountering the Chiefs.Rivera said he can tie some of his success as a coach to spending time on Reids staff with the Philadelphia Eagles. Rivera was the linebackers coach under Reid from 1999 to 2003.This will be only the sixth meeting between the teams, with Kansas City winning the most recent matchup 27-21 in December 2012 at home. Wholesale Nike Shoes From China . 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This is a kid that finds a lot of ways to help you win games other than maybe what he does with the bat.Atlanta received infielder Mike Aviles and catcher Kade Scivicque in Tuesdays trade.Swanson, acquired last December in the deal that sent starting pitcher Shelby Miller to Arizona, has split the season between Class A Carolina and Double-A Mississippi. In 127 games in the minors, Swanson is hitting .277 with 10 homers and 66 RBI.Aybar gives the Tigers experience at shortstop as Jose Iglesias recovers from a hamstring injury. Aybar is hitting .242 with two homers and 26 RBI and is making $8.5 million in the final year of his contract.This is something that came together in the last 24 hours, Atlanta general manager John Coppolella said. I think they had some injuries and had a need open. Were trying to get better and younger. We feel this trade does that for us.Atlanta acquired Aybar last November with minor league pitcher Sean Newcomb as part of the trade that sent Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons to the Los Angeles Angels.Aybar, in his 11th big league season, was in the starting lineup for Tuesdays game against Minnesota but was removed after taking batting practice and replaced by Chase dArnaud.Tigers general manager Al Avila wanted to make the deal because he values Aybars versatility as Detroit tries to stay in the AAL wild-card race.ddddddddddddHes a switch-hitter, Avila said. He can play short. He can play third. He can play second. Really, if we needed him to, in a pinch, if we had to -- and I hope we dont -- we could throw him in the outfield. But right now he gives us an experienced veteran-type player that we feel will give us a little better offense than, lets say Aviles.Aviles, 35, hit .210 with one homer and six RBI in 68 games with the Tigers.Scivicque, 23, hit .282 with six homers and 41 RBI in 105 games for Single-A Lakeland. Before acquiring Scivicque, the Braves had no significant catching prospects in their minor league system.Scivicque was ranked as Detroits No. 20 prospect before the season by MLB.com.Weve said this is probably our biggest area of need, Coppolella said. We dont have young, upper-level catching. Weve been trying to find it. Hes a good player. Hes a fourth-round pick. Hes got off-the-charts makeup, too. We did a lot of work on him. Hes a great makeup guy. Can really lead a staff.Detroit recalled outfielder Steven Moya from Triple-A Toledo to take Aviles spot on the 25-man roster.Coppolella said second baseman Ozzie Albies, the Braves No. 2 prospect, will stay at Mississippi for now, but could be in Atlanta soon.Albies moved from shortstop to second base this year so the Braves could watch him play alongside Swanson. But at 19, Albies is three years younger than Swanson and needs more time in the minors.Well kind of go day by day with him and see how it goes, Coppolella said. Hes got a bright future. It wont be long before hes up here soon, and therell be a lot of good, young players following as well.---Associated Press freelance writer Dave Hogg in Detroit contributed to this report. ' ' '