Panthers' Lotulelei, Addison diagnosed with ankle sprains

The Carolina Panthers emerged from Thursday's win over the Dallas Cowboys with a pair of key defensive linemen battling injuries.

Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and defensive end Mario Addison are each in walking boots after emerging from the game with low ankle sprains, head coach Ron Rivera announced Friday.

Rivera said neither injury is considered serious, but the status of both players now appears uncertain ahead of next week's game against the New Orleans Saints.

The additional rest coming off a Thursday game should give them the best possible opportunity to avoid missing considerable time.

Lotulelei started in each of the nine games after sitting out the first two weeks of the year with a foot injury, recording one sack and 13 tackles over that span.

Addison has again been contributing in a rotational role for Carolina's defensive front, posting 4.5 sacks to rank third among the team's leading pass-rushers.