CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers wrap up the preseason with a road test against the Pittsburgh Steelers

This game will have fans looking to see one last exhibition glimpse of the starters. Chances are, they won’t be found.

Catch the game live on Spectrum News at 7:30 p.m. 

Expect most, if not all, of the projected starters to watch this game on sidelines in a team logo ball cap, rather than a helmet.  This game will belong to the back-ups and those players fighting for a roster spot. That in mind, a look at what to watch for on Thursday night.

THE BACKUP QB

All training camp long, Head Coach Ron Rivera had alternated the reps between Garrett Gilbert and Taylor Heinicke, with Gilbert getting the nod in front of Heinicke.  That rotation seemed to change in the New England Patriots meeting in week three.  Cam Newton suffered an injury on the opening drive, forcing him to the sidelines ,and the dreaded Blue Tent of Uncertainty, causing him to miss four plays.  Heinicke came on in relief, before Newton finished the drive.

Tuesday, Rivera told reporters that Heinicke will start against the Steelers, Gilbert will take over in the second quarter and then Kyle Allen will play the rest of the way.

So who has the inside track to be Newton’s backup? Only Rivera knows.

OFFENSIVE LINE              

One last preview to talk about the MASH Unit making up the front line.  Darryl Williams, Amini Silatolu and Matt Kalil are still week-to-week and since they are projected starters, don’t look for them to play even if they are remotely close to being ready, which they aren’t).  Jeremiah Sirles suffered a hamstring injury against New England and is unlikely to go Thursday night as well.

What does it all mean? 

Well, there likely won’t be much of a decision to be made regarding the long-term offensive line roster choices.  The Panthers have to determine who they will keep, and how, with that position group.  By that, I mean who may go on short-term IR, if they put someone on a PUP list, etc. I would take a stab at guessing the position group, but there are too many moving parts for me to feel comfortable doing that.

WIDE RECEIVERS

The Panthers will find themselves cutting a pretty good pass-catcher or two from this group.  The roster locks in this group (from my seat right now), would be Devin Funchess, Torrey Smith, DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel and Jarius Wright.  That’s five.  Is there a spot for Damiere Byrd? Austin Duke? Bug Howard?  Mose Frazier?  Last season, seven players found the stat sheet as wide receivers, but that number includes Kelvin Benjamin, who was dealt to Buffalo during  the season.

Six would appear to be the magic number, so the battle for the final receiver slot on the 53.

RUNNING BACKS

Like the receiving group, a player or two from this bunch will find themselves looking for a roster spot, or possibly a practice squad job.

Count Christian McCaffrey, CJ Anderson among the locks.  Cameron Artis-Payne continues to be a mainstay in the group, but Kenjon Barner is making a case to stick with the 53.  Barner was originally drafted by the Panthers in 2013, and spent most the past five seasons with Philadelphia.  Elijah Hood has had a good camp, but are the numbers there for the Charlotte native to stick? That will be a tough call, because Alex Armah has likely locked up a spot given his versatility as a fullback as well as a tight end.

Again, not a decision I have to make, and one I don’t envy for Rivera and GM Marty Hurney.

Roster cuts come down by 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1.

Get the latest news, sports and weather delivered straight to your inbox. Click here to sign up for email and text alerts.