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The Carolina Panthers wrap up their NFL exhibition season tonight against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Although starters for both teams won't play much, the game is critical for several players on the outer fringes of each roster.
That's because NFL teams must trim 20-plus players on Saturday to reach the regular-season roster number of 53.
After four weeks of preseason, here's The Observer's position-by-position look at how the Panthers' 75-player roster might shape up, heading into tonight's exhibition and Saturday's big cut day:
OFFENSE
QB
Starter: Jake Delhomme (#17).
Backup: Matt Moore.
On the bubble: Brett Basanez.
Comment: Basanez's spot might be riding on how well he performs tonight against Steelers.
RB
Starters: DeAngelo Williams (#34), Brad Hoover (#45).
Backups: Jonathan Stewart, Nick Goings, LaBrandon Toefield.
On the bubble: Decori Birmingham, Troy Fleming.
Comment: Whether Williams or Stewart starts probably won't matter much, since they'll both get a lot of playing time.
TE
Starter: Jeff King (right).
Backups: Dante Rosario, Gary Barnidge.
On the bubble: Chad Upshaw.
Comment: Watch for Panthers to go with two-tight end set more than usual with King and Rosario.
WR
Starters: Steve Smith*, Muhsin Muhammad.
Backups: Dwayne Jarrett, D.J. Hackett, Ryne Robinson, Samie Parker.
On the bubble: Dominique Thompson, William Buchanon, Chris Hannon, Travis Taylor
Comment: Figuring out how to replace Hackett and Robinson (injuries) and Smith (suspension) taking up a lot of valuable time for coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney.
OL
Starters: Jeff Otah, Keydrick Vincent, Ryan Kalil, Travelle Wharton, Jordan Gross.
Backups: Milford Brown, Frank Omiyale, Geoff Hangartner, Jeremy Bridges.
On the bubble: Toniu Fonoti, Evan Mathis, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Geoff Schwartz, Rueben Riley.
Comment: First stringers continue to develop chemistry, looking like a pretty good unit.
DEFENSE
DL
Starters: Tyler Brayton, Damione Lewis, Maake Kemoeatu, Julius Peppers (above).
Backups: Charles Johnson, Stanley McClover, Nick Hayden, Gary Gibson, Darwin Walker.
On the bubble: Hilee Taylor, Stephen Williams
Comment: Kemoeatu playing as a nose tackle, taking up blockers and space to allow linebackers to make tackles.
LB
Starters: Jon Beason, Thomas Davis, Na'il Diggs.
Backups: Landon Johnson, Adam Seward, Tim Shaw, Dan Connor.
On the bubble: James Anderson, Shaun Smith, Donte Curry.
Comment: Johnson might be the strongside starter (ahead of Diggs) before long.
DB
Starters: Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble, Chris Harris, Charles Godfrey.
Backups: Richard Marshall, Terrence Holt, Nate Salley, Dante Wesley, Ricardo Colclough.
On the bubble: Quinton Teal, Joe Fields, Darren Toney.
Comment: Godfrey's the only starter who hasn't missed time with an injury this preseason.
SPECIALISTS
K: John Kasay.
K: Rhys Lloyd.
P: Jason Baker
LS: Jason Kyle
Comment: Lloyd's long-distance kickoffs impressive enough to earn him a spot – at the expense of another player elsewhere on the roster.
