While Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly and most of the Carolina Panthers starters watched Thursday’s final exhibition from the sideline in sweats and rain gear, several of their teammates were playing the opening minutes against the Pittsburgh Steelers like their roster spots depended on it.
Because that was precisely the case.
Reserve linebacker Ben Jacobs appeared to aggravate his injured ankle on the opening kickoff. The special teams contributor came to the sideline, had his ankle re-taped and went back in the game.
Rookie tight end Beau Sandland stuck on one of his blocks past the line of scrimmage during the Panthers’ first offensive drive, prompting a Pittsburgh defender to push Sandland in the face.