The Carolina Panthers will rest all their projected starters and several key backups in their preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In total, 33 players are not expected to participate in tonight’s matchup.
Team officials had previously indicated that neither the starting offense nor defense would play. Backup quarterback Andy Dalton will also be held out of the game. As a result, quarterbacks Jack Plummer and Bryce Perkins, who joined the team earlier this week, will handle playing duties.
Other notable absences include running back Rico Dowdle, tight end Tommy Tremble—who was recently activated—and several players currently managing injuries such as Nic Scourton, DJ Johnson, and LaBryan Ray.
The full list of Panthers players not expected to play is as follows: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Mike Jackson, Tetairoa McMillan, Rico Dowdle, Tre’von Moehrig, Jaycee Horn, Bryce Young, Nic Scourton, Andy Dalton, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Nick Scott, Chau Smith-Wade, Chuba Hubbard, Trevin Wallace, Robert Hunt, DJ Johnson, Christian Rozeboom, Austin Corbett, Cade Mays, Damien Lewis, Taylor Moton, Ikem Ekwonu, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Brycen Tremayne, Patrick Jones II; Turk Wharton; LaBryan Ray; A’Shawn Robinson; Derrick Brown; Bobby Brown III; and DJ Wonnum.
Head coach Dave Canales commented on the decision: “We want to make sure our core group is healthy heading into the regular season. This gives us a chance to evaluate some of our younger players and recent additions.”
The approach reflects a common strategy across NFL teams during preseason finales—limiting risk for main contributors while providing opportunities for depth players and new signings to demonstrate their abilities before final roster decisions are made.
