CHARLOTTE — Baker Mayfield's going to get the start at quarterback Friday in the preseason finale, but he'll be missing a couple of offensive starters.
Running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Robbie Anderson aren't expected to play against the Bills in the final tune-up before the regular season.
Anderson has been working his way back from a quad issue (he practiced Wednesday), while McCaffrey hasn't played in the preseason in years.
Shi Smith is expected to start at receiver for Anderson, as the second-year wideout has been one of the standouts of camp so far.
Linebacker Shaq Thompson, wide receivers Andre Roberts, Brandon Zylstra, and Anderson, tight ends Ian Thomas and Colin Thompson were among a group of players coming back from injuries getting a pre-game workout, along with defensive end Amaré Barno and linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley.
They won't play this week, and running back Spencer Brown, safety Sam Franklin Jr., linebacker Julian Stanford, and center Bradley Bozeman are also inactive for the game.
View photos of Panthers players arriving at Bank of America Stadium for Friday night's preseason finale against Buffalo.
LB - Frankie Luvu
P - Johnny Hekker
DT - Daviyon Nixon
RB - Chuba Hubbard
C - Sam Tecklenburg
QB - Sam Darnold
S - Jeremy Chinn
LB - Damien Wilson
DT - Phil Hoskins
T - Brady Christensen
S - Jeremy Chinn
WR - Terrace Marshall Jr.
S - Kenny Robinson
LB - Damien Wilson
DT - Phil Hoskins
C/G - Bradley Bozeman
CB - Donte Jackson
WR - DJ Moore
DE - Marquis Haynes Sr.
S - Juston Burris
S - Kenny Robinson
CB - Donte Jackson
S - Xavier Woods
WR - DJ Moore
RB - D'Onta Foreman
K - Zane Gonzalez
LS - JJ Jansen
P - Johnny Hekker
DT - Derrick Brown
QB - Baker Mayfield
QB - Sam Darnold
WR - Shi Smith
DT - Derrick Brown
QB - Baker Mayfield
LB - Brandon Smith
LB - Arron Mosby
