CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thomas Davis said the Carolina Panthers’ game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings should “absolutely” be played as scheduled, even with the city being under a state of emergency due to violent protests over a recent police shooting.

The All-Pro linebacker said football has a unique way of bringing people together and believes the game is something the community needs.

“If you take this game away I think it is going to just continue to add to the stress and add to what is already going on in a negative way,” Davis said Thursday.

Gov. Pat McCrory declared a state of emergency in Charlotte on Wednesday night and has sent the National Guard and state troopers in to help restore peace after two nights of looting and rioting .

The NFL said it plans are for the game to be played as scheduled, although it will continue to monitor the ongoing violent protests that have gripped Charlotte.

Panthers President Danny Morrison said in a statement Thursday that the team is “in contact with government officials, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the NFL. We are continuing to monitor events as we prepare for Sunday’s home game.”

JETS: Wide receiver Eric Decker returned to practice on a limited basis after sitting out with a sore shoulder, while Brandon Marshall was out for a second straight day because of knee and foot ailments.

Decker said that he’ll “be ready to go” against the Chiefs on Sunday in Kansas City.

Marshall appears to be more of an uncertainty and could be a game-time decision, although he said earlier in the week that he hopes to play.

Left guard James Carpenter (calf), linebacker Erin Henderson (foot) and quarterback Bryce Petty (shoulder) also sat out. Coach Todd Bowles says three players are rotating in Carpenter’s spot: Wesley Johnson, Dakota Dozier and a third whom he wouldn’t identify but is likely Brent Qvale.

Running back Matt Forte was a full participant in practice a day after being limited with what Bowles said was “just a sore knee.”

BENGALS: Tight end Tyler Eifert can’t help but think the Bengals would be scoring more if he were on the field. The way it’s going, that could be in a couple of weeks.

Eifert returned to practice this week, though on a limited basis. He was sidelined for offseason workouts and training camp while recovering from surgery for a torn ligament in his left ankle.

BROWNS: Rookie wide receiver Corey Coleman does not need surgery on his broken hand, a small but sorely needed positive for the Browns.

Coleman will miss at least one month after breaking his hand during practice on Wednesday.

DOLPHINS: Defensive end Jason Jones has been added to the injury report with an ankle injury.

FALCONS: Outside linebacker O’Brien Schofield, who started 10 games with Atlanta in 2015, has re-signed with the team.

COLTS: Quarterback Andrew Luck returned to practice but did limited work and did not throw during the open portion of practice.