CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- James Dockery, among the final cuts by the Carolina Panthers in August, will get the start at nickel cornerback in Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Dockery will replace veteran Charles Godfrey, who was cut on Tuesday. Godfrey was starting for rookie Bené Benwikere, who has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and did not practice on Wednesday.

The Panthers also practiced free safety Colin Jones, cornerback Antoine Cason and wide receiver De'Andre Presley at the position Benwikere will take over when he returns.

But for now the position belongs to Dockery, who was re-signed on Oct. 7.

"Right now, we're pretty comfortable with it," Rivera said of the position that opponents have victimized the past few weeks. "James Dockery played some nickel in the Green Bay game and we'll give him the start."

Undrafted rookie free agent Andrew Norwell could get his first career start at left guard with starter Amini Silatolu still nursing a sore calf injury. Fernando Velasco will shift to right guard for rookie Trai Turner, who will miss Sunday's game with a sprained knee and ankle suffered in the first quarter of the 38-17 loss at Green Bay.

Quarterback Cam Newton referred to Norwell as "All Yell" because the former Ohio State player shouts loudly ever time the team breaks huddle.

"I've noticed a lot of things he does loudly," Rivera said of Norwell. "He has a lot of enthusiasm. That's great. He's got a great attitude about working hard, a great attitude about getting an opportunity to play, and I think that is going to spread to his teammates."

Left tackle Byron Bell practiced after leaving Sunday's game with a left elbow contusion. Rivera is optimistic Bell will be ready for Seattle, but reserved judged until he saw how the elbow responded to a hard practice.

Running back DeAngelo Williams (ankle), linebacker Chase Blackburn, cornerback Philly Brown (concussion) joined Turner, Amini and Benwikere working with the trainers.

Rivera said it's too early to tell if Williams , who has missed the last three games, will have a shot to play this week.

"He did a lot of work, pushing sleds and running," Rivera said. "That was very encouraging. The next step is to see how he feels tomorrow."

Wide receiver Brenton Bersin took over Brown's duties as a kick returner. Rivera said wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery and third-string quarterback Joe Webb also got some looks in the return game.