The Carolina Panthers concluded their preseason with a 19-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night in Charlotte. The game saw the Panthers resting all of their starters, focusing instead on evaluating players fighting for roster spots and practice squad positions ahead of next week’s roster cuts to 53.
Tight end James Mitchell scored the team’s lone touchdown, celebrating with a group of youth players near the end zone.
General manager Dan Morgan addressed the differences between this year’s final roster decisions and those from last season. In 2024, the Panthers had first priority in waiver claims and added six players cut by other teams at that time. Three of those additions—cornerback Shemar Bartholomew, linebacker Jon Rhattigan, and offensive lineman Jarrett Kingston—remain on the roster. Morgan noted that last year’s moves were made out of necessity due to depth concerns.
“I think last year compared to this year, we were looking for like starters at the waiver wire and like depth guys that were going to play an important role,” Morgan said. “This year, we don’t feel so much that way. We feel good about our roster; we just feel good about the roster as a whole that we’re starting to gain some depth. We’re starting to get the kind of players that we want to get here.
“But to your point, if we want to, since we’re eighth in the order (this year), if we need to, we can swap late round picks if we really like a guy just to kind of get ahead of it. So there are ways to kind of get ahead of it. We’re always looking into things. We’re always going to be creative and try to do things to make this roster a better roster.”
With 33 players held out—including all starters and key backups—the Panthers fielded several unconventional lineups throughout the game. Jack Plummer started at quarterback behind an offensive line featuring Yosh Nijman, Chandler Zavala, Jarrett Kingston, Ja’Tyre Carter, and Brady Christensen. The opening offense also included running back Trevor Etienne; tight ends James Mitchell and Dominique Dafney; and wide receivers David Moore and Jalen Coker.
On defense, linemen Shy Tuttle and Jaden Crumedy started alongside outside linebackers Princely Umanmielen and Thomas Incoom. Claudin Cherelus and Krys Barnes played at linebacker with safeties Lathan Ransom and Demani Richardson in support.
Rookie safety Lathan Ransom made an impression with an interception during the first half as he competes for a starting job against veteran Nick Scott.
Injuries impacted several players during the game: Princely Umanmielen left with a shoulder injury; Ja’Tyre Carter exited due to an ankle injury; running back Raheem Blackshear also departed after suffering an ankle injury following Mitchell’s touchdown catch. These injuries come as fellow rookie Nic Scourton remains sidelined with a collapsed lung.
The team will now focus on reducing its roster before assembling its practice squad for the regular season.
