Panthers at Steelers: Players to watch

These Carolina Panthers performances will determine where they are in a week…

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera and his staff face some difficult decisions over the next few days. By Saturday, September 1 at 4:00pm their roster must be cut down to just 53 players after carrying 90 during training camp and the preseason.

Thirty-seven players will ultimately be released and although some will land on the practice squad or be granted an opportunity elsewhere, many face having their chance at the NFL extinguished. For those, the fourth preseason game presents one final opportunity to make an impact and impress enough for consideration.

There are still position battles to be determined, including back up quarterback, cornerback and at wide receiver but many of the hopefuls are likely to remain with the Panthers in some capacity. Both quarterbacks Garrett Gilbert and Taylor Heinicke could end up active and if so, wide receiver Damiere Byrd may be headed for the practice squad – although it’s likely he would be poached by another team.

These players future is not so certain but a solid performance on Thursday night at Pittsburgh could make coaches decisions even more difficult.