Five Things to Watch: Panthers vs. Steelers

CHARLOTTE – In the ultra-competitive battle for roster spots that will wrap up with Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers (7:30 p.m., Panthers TV), head coach Ron Rivera offered some simple but salient advice.

"Play your best," Rivera said. "This is the opportunity. You either take advantage of it or you don't."

Here are some positions to keep an eye on two days before the slashing of the 90-man roster to 53.

1. Wide receiver: Rivera said it's as deep a group as the Panthers have had during his seven seasons, but the final roster can only go five, maybe six deep. With starters and , rookie and special teams stalwart viewed as locks barring some sort of surprise shakeup, the Steelers…