Position battles still ongoing for Panthers

It’s the last preseason game coming up for the Carolina Panthers when the Pittsburgh Steelers visit Thursday night, and there’s plenty to sort out on the roster.

“This might be the deepest group of young guys we’ve had a lot of positions,” coach Ron Rivera said. “We need to see exactly who’s going to separate themselves.”

Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis said it’s important for veterans to also take the week seriously, even if they won’t be on the field for the Pittsburgh game.

“It’s still a week to take advantage of the opportunity for us to get better as an overall football team,” Davis said. “It’s a great opportunity for these young guys to get some work on the field. … The message is simply to put your best foot forward. Don’t get caught up in playing the numbers game.”

It remained unclear even after Tuesday’s practice whether quarterback Cam Newton would play at all in the last preseason game after a brief appearance a week earlier at Jacksonville.

Davis said the Panthers, who are coming off a disappointing season, can’t afford to waste time with the regular season approaching.

“It’s a right-now mindset for this football team,” Davis said. “We’ve got a lot of core guys in place.”

Rivera said it’s a big week for numerous players who continue to be evaluated.

“This is an opportunity for some young guys to prove to us,” he said. “We’re going to play the young guys as much as we can.”

–Quarterback Joe Webb missed the third preseason game because of a neck strain, but he has returned to practice.

With quarterback Cam Newton playing sparingly so far in the preseason, there’s an opportunity for Webb to further showcase what he can do, especially if he’s going to make a bid to be the backup quarterback.

Webb took a large number of reps in practice this week leading to the final preseason game, and he and fellow backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert figure to handle a major dose of the snaps for Thursday night’s preseason matchup against Pittsburgh.

“Those young guys will get an opportunity to throw ball,” coach Ron Rivera said.

–When training camp began, the competition for kicker seemed to be one of the intriguing battles. It’s still going on heading into the last preseason game.

Coach Ron Rivera called it an even competition between incumbent Graham Gano and rookie draftee Harrison Butker.

Gano expressed confidence in how he has performed this month.

“I’m healthy now and feel like I’ve been hitting the ball as well as I ever have,” he said. “I feel good about what I’ve done.”

Gano hasn’t missed in a preseason game since his 50-yarder hit the upright in the opener. Butker hasn’t missed in a game situation, including booting a 51-yarder in the first preseason outing.

Looking around the roster:

— QB Derek Anderson missed a practice this week because of the birth of his child. He was back after the one-day absence.

— WR Brenton Bersin, a veteran reserve, missed time with a shoulder injury and continues to be a bystander at practices.

— OL Chris Scott has been in concussion protocol for a couple of weeks and left practice early Monday, so the player who served as a valuable fill-in on the line in past seasons could be without a roster spot.

— DE Vernon Butler, who went down in the first preseason game with a knee sprain, returned to the practice field but isn’t taking part in regular drills.

— LB Zeek Bigger will play at multiple linebacker spots in the preseason finale, coach Ron Rivera said, to see if there’s a fit for the 24-year-old to make the roster.