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Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (0-3)
8 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium
TV: WCCB (Ch. 18)
Radio: WBT (1110-AM)
Panthers update
Coach John Fox said Wednesday he expects the starters to play tonight. That wouldn't normally be significant news, except that none of the starters played at all in last season's final exhibition (also against Pittsburgh).
Fox made that call as the Panthers were coming off an impressive performance in their third exhibition in 2008 against Washington. This year's third exhibition, a 17-13 loss against Baltimore on Saturday, was another story.
Tonight will give a struggling defense another chance to right itself, and offensive starters such as receiver Steve Smith and running back DeAngelo Williams – neither of whom have played in all of the three previous games – more preseason reps.
It will be a significant game for several players trying to make the team. Final cuts – when the team trims its roster from 75 to 53 for the regular season – come Saturday.
Only two rookie free agents (safety Quinton Teal in 2007 and defensive end Kemp Rasmussen in 2002) have made the final roster in Fox's seven seasons with the Panthers. Defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, though, is certain to make it this year.
Others in this year's undrafted rookie class – including Larry Beavers, Jason Chery, Paul Chiara and Anthony Heygood – aren't likely to make the roster.
Running back Decori Birmingham (head), RB Jonathan Stewart (Achilles), safety Charles Godfrey (hand), cornerback Sherrod Martin (knee) and linebacker Na'il Diggs (“day off,” according to Fox) didn't practice Wednesday.
The Panthers are facing their third winless exhibition season in team history. In those other two years – 1997 and 2000 – they went 7-9 in the regular season.
The Steelers have become an annual preseason opponent; it's the seventh straight year they've played the Panthers. Pittsburgh leads the series 6-4.
Steelers update
The reigning Super Bowl champs have sandwiched preseason victories against Arizona (20-10) and Buffalo (17-0) around a loss against Washington (17-13).
In last week's victory against the Bills, when most starters played at least a half, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger completed 15 of 19 passes for 168 yards and a 103.5 passer rating.
First-round draft pick Ziggy Hood, a defensive end, has three of the team's eight sacks. Hood, from Missouri, was the 32 {+n}{+d} and final player taken in the first round.
Running back Rashard Mendenhall has rushed for 98 yards on 30 carries (3.3 yards per carry) and a touchdown. David Scott
