CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers would be opening on Sunday at home, instead of Thursday against an opponent other than the Denver team they lost to in Super Bowl 50, if coach Ron Rivera had a say in the schedule.
"But I don't,'' Rivera said Sunday.
The Panthers were in what Rivera called a "mad scramble'' on Sunday to get the practice squad signed and check the waiver wire for potential players that could improve the roster before practice began around 1:30 p.m.
Many of the practice team players arrived late because they'd just gotten the paperwork done.