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In Carolina's defensive statistics from Sunday's win over Atlanta, there were plenty of zeros next to Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers' name.

Zero sacks. Zero quarterback hurries. Zero tackles.

"We've got a lot of areas to improve on. I think our pass rush is one of them," coach John Fox said Monday. "It's something we'll work very hard on this week."

Peppers, who had 13 sacks last season, has yet to record a sack in three games. Isolation replays from Sunday's game showed the three-time Pro Bowl pick was single-covered most of the time. Yet the only play that put him in the defensive statistics was when he knocked down a pass early in the game.

Joey Harrington, who had been sacked an NFL-high 13 times in the first two games, was sacked once by Carolina when Kris Jenkins hauled him down on the first play of the second quarter.

Peppers, as he did last week, shrugged off questions about being held without a sack in two straight games.

"Hey, he's a good quarterback," Peppers said of Harrington. "Joey did a good job getting rid of the ball and not holding it."

COOPER'S BACK: Carolina safety Deke Cooper began Sunday demoted to second string. He finished back with the starters.

Cooper, who had been slowed by a groin injury that forced him to miss practice time during the week, was replaced by Marquand Manuel in the starting lineup at free safety. But late in the game, Fox replaced Manuel with Cooper.

"As the game wore on, we moved back, which we do sometimes," Fox said. "We just felt like we needed to make a change at that time."

ANDERSON'S SHOT: With Panthers linebacker Dan Morgan sidelined in the second half with a variety of injuries and backup Adam Seward inactive, James Anderson filled in the middle against Atlanta.

Anderson, Carolina's third-round pick last year, played about 25 snaps and was credited with one tackle.

If Morgan is out for an extended period, the Panthers could move rookie Jon Beason from outside linebacker to the middle. Beason played some middle linebacker at Miami.

"I don't like going into all the depths of our flexibility, but he's always an option," Fox said.

QUICK HITS: The Panthers' average starting position after kickoffs is just shy of the 21-yard line, worst in the NFL. ... Tight end Jeff King has 13 catches, second on the team behind Smith's 16.

TEXANS: defensive tackle Cedric Killings was able to stand in the hospital Monday and doctors are confident he'll soon be walking.

Killings' progress came one day after he left the field on a stretcher after a headfirst collision with Indianapolis receiver Roy Hall. He has since gained movement in his arms and legs, though he's weak in both hands and his left arm.

SEAHAWKS: running back Shaun Alexander has a broken left wrist, but will continue to play with a protective cast.

Coach Mike Holmgren said further pictures on what was thought to be a sprain revealed a small crack. The coach added that Alexander's wrist will heal in a few weeks if immobilized whether he plays or not.

RAMS: running back Steven Jackson will miss at least one week with a partial tear of his left groin, an injury suffered in the fourth quarter at Tampa Bay.

Rookie Brian Leonard, a second-round pick from Rutgers, will get his first start Sunday at Dallas.

BRONCOS: safety John Lynch and quarterback Jay Cutler were sent for MRI exams. Lynch has a strained groin and Cutler a sprained ankle.

BROWNS: tight end Kellen Winslow suffered a bruised left shoulder during Cleveland's loss at Oakland.

Winslow, who had his shoulder wrapped when he came into the locker room on Monday, declined an interview.