CHARLOTTE â The Panthers want to play the regulars on offense a bit during the preseason to break in all the new parts, but one important one won't be out there for the preseason opener against the Jets.
Running back ï»żMiles Sandersï»ż will be held out Saturday after suffering what head coach Frank Reich described as a "tweak" to a groin muscle late in training camp.
Without Sanders, ï»żChuba Hubbardï»ż and ï»żRaheem Blackshearï»ż will likely get a fair number of reps Saturday, as they want the first offense to get an amount of work across the preseason games, so they go into the regular season ready â since the first two games are division games.
Outside linebacker ï»żBrian Burnsï»ż isn't expected to play Saturday, and veteran ï»żJustin Houstonï»ż isn't expected to either after arriving last week.
That will give the young group including ï»żYetur Gross-Matosï»ż, ï»żDJ Johnsonï»ż, ï»żAmaré Barnoï»ż, and ï»żKobe Jonesï»ż to get more work, as they look for depth at that position.
Burns had an excellent day of practice during the joint workouts with the Jets on Wednesday, recording a number of would-be "sacks" against Aaron Rodgers and the Jets' starting offensive line. That capped an excellent camp for the pass-rusher, the key piece of their transition to a 3-4 defense.
Also not expected to play in Saturday's game will be rookie offensive linemen ï»żChandler Zavalaï»ż and ï»żNash Jensenï»ż, guard ï»żAustin Corbettï»ż, tight end ï»żStephen Sullivanï»ż, and wide receiver ï»żDamiere Byrdï»ż, along with outside linebackers ï»żMarquis Haynes Sr.ï»ż and ï»żJordan Thomasï»ż, cornerback ï»żMac McCain IIIï»ż, and kicker ï»żEddy Piñeiroï»ż.
Check out scenes from the Panthers' first joint practice against the New York Jets on Wednesday.
