The final week of the preseason is about players making their last push to land a final roster spot. When the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, each team will be focused on different aspects of their games ahead of the regular season.
Panthers vs. Steelers 2015: Time, TV schedule and live stream
The Panthers are among many teams trying to evaluate their receiving corps after being plagued by injuries.
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The Panthers have taken hit after hit with their receivers, losing rookie Kelvin Benjamin for the entire season with a knee injury, predated by rookie Devin Funchess' hamstring problems. Second-year player Corey Brown is expected to play a bigger role in 2015, but has shown inconsistencies during the preseason.
Between young and experienced wideouts, the team has eight healthy receivers on the roster and coaches are hoping a few stand out in this last matchup against an inexperienced Steelers defense. After facing their share of injuries and retirements in the offseason, they're hoping to improve on last year's stats of allowing 353 yards per game, a league low.
Luckily, the team can still have a successful season without a stellar defense, and the offense is one of the most experienced in the league.
The Steelers are led by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has more incentive to produce after signing a new contract earlier in 2015, making him one of the highest-paid players in the league. Behind him on the depth chart is veteran Michael Vick, followed by third-year player Landry Jones.
Starters from both teams aren’t likely to see much, if any, playing time during the final preseason game, but both teams are looking for backup players to stand out ahead of the final roster cut on Sept. 6.
How to Watch
When: Thursday, Sept. 3, 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh
TV: Carolina Panthers Television Network (Carolina area) and CBS 2 KDKA (Pittsburgh area).
Online: NFL Game Pass
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