FINAL: Carolina Panthers 25, Steelers 19

4:43: Marcelis Branch with an interception.

The @steelers are going the other way!

Marcelis Branch with the INT!

📺: #PITvsCAR on NFL Network (or check local listings) pic.twitter.com/AyG1CAKWuW

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 30, 2019

6:06: An active night for Christian Kuntz. He subbed in as the second-team long snapper and made a tackle in kick coverage.

9:25 Not a great second half for the second-string offensive line. It’s an open question as to how many linemen the Steelers will keep.

The versatility of B.J. Finney, Matt Feiler and Chukwuma Okorafor mean the Steelers probably don’t need a ninth man. Hard to make a case for one given the performance tonight. Getting beat in pass protection and minimal push in the running game.

11:50 Henry Mondeaux having an excellent game. He and Tuzar Skipper combine for a sack. All four outside linebackers now on the board.

15:00 Devlin Hodges starts the second half at quarterback, and he’s promptly dropped with for sack.

Rookie Derwin Gray was beaten by Marquis Haynes, who strip sacked Hodges. Jerald Hawkins recovered the fumble.

HALFTIME STATS

Mason Rudolph 7 for 11, 125 yards, touchdown
Will Grier 10 for 15, 175 yards, touchdown, interception

Benny Snell 4 carries, 12 yards
Alex Armah 2 carries, 8 yards

Johnny Holton 3 catches, 86 yards, touchdown
DeAndrew White 4 catches, 94 yards

SECOND QUARTER

0:09 Rudolph and Holton take advantage of the turnover. Straight go route down the right side and Rudolph dropped it in perfectly.

That’s Rudolph’s fourth touchdown of the preseason. Dobbs had none.

Wright misses the extra point left. Not a great night for the rookie kicker.

0:23 Tuzar Skipper with his second special teams tackle. Outside linebacker decision has not gotten any easier.

0:29 The Steelers’ drive stalls, but Matthew Wright connects from 49 yards out. He’s two of three on the night.

1:02 Rudolph connects with Johnny Holton for 44 yards deep down the seam. Holton is on the fringe of the roster, helping his cause with that catch.

1:14 The tough preseason for rookie corner Justin Layne continues. Will Grier found former track star Aldrick Robinson deep down the right side for a 34-yard touchdown.

Layne left the field with an apparent injury after the play.

6:36 Mason Rudolph takes over for Josh Dobbs at quarterback. Final line for the starter: 3 for 5 for 25 yards and one carry for 11 yards. Two of his three drives went three-and-out.

7:19 Marcelis Branch with a big hit. The Robert Morris alum has been quiet so far this preseason. He’ll need more of that tonight.

12:45 Carolina rookie kicker Joey Slye just nailed a 59-yarder that would’ve been good from 65. With Graham Geno around, someone will be getting a kicker upgrade after the Panthers make their cuts.

13:03 Sutton Smith makes three outside linebackers to record a sack — everyone but Tuzar Skipper, who just missed one. So not a lot of separation so far tonight.

FIRST QUARTER

0:00: Christian Kuntz worked inside to sack Will Grier. More pressure from Henry Mondeau, who has had a nice preseason. A couple of guys hoping for a practice squad spot.

4:38: Jay Elliott just scored a 95-yard defensive touchdown for the Steelers. Who? A 27-year-old linebacker from Toledo that the Steelers signed off the street last week. Yep, it’s preseason Week 4.

Sack, fumble, scoop and score all by Elliott, who has NFL experience with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. Matthew Wright extra point is good.

10:07: Starting offense:

QB Josh Dobbs

RB Benny Snell
WR Johnny Holton
WR James Washington
TE Zach Gentry
TE Kevin Rader

LT Chukwuma Okorafor
LG B.J. Finney
C Patrick Morris
RG Fred Johnson
RT Zach Banner

10:09: Backup linebackers need to make special teams plays. Ulysees Gilbert just blocked a field goal. That’ll do. His roster spot seems safer and safer.

14:55: Starting defense:

LDE Tyson Alualu
NT Dan McCullers
RDE Isaiah Buggs

LOLB Jay Elliott
LILB Devin Bush
RILB Tyler Matakevich
ROLB Tuzar Skipper

LCB Artie Burns
SS Marcus Allen
FS Kam Kelly
RCB Cam Sutton

GAMEDAY INFO

Thursday, August 29, 7:00 p.m.
Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

SN Coverage: Alan Saunders

TV/Radio: KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh) and NFL Network (Nationally), Steelers Radio Network (102.5 WDVE-FM)

PGH WEATHER NOW FORECAST

Clear skies, 80 degrees at kickoff.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• The backup quarterback battle will continue to rage, with Josh Dobbs getting a last shot at the starting role. Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges are both expected to play.

• Backup linebacker is another hot spot. Tuzar Skipper, Ulysess Gilbert, Sutton Smith and Robert Spillane look like they’re fighting for one or two spots and should play most of the game.

• A couple of wide receivers that are probably on the outside looking in right now should get some chances to make plays. Include Tevin Jones, Trey Griffey, Johnny Holton and Diontae Spencer in that group.

• There are still some spots to be won on the offensive line, with Jerald Hawkins as the fifth tackle and Fred Johnson and Derwin Gray as the fourth and fifth guards all in the mix for one or two spots.

INJURY UPDATES

OUT: OLB Ola Adeniyi  (knee) and Anthony Chickillo (chest), CB Joe Haden (foot contusion).

STEELERS NOW COVERAGE THIS WEEK

Steelers Players to Watch in Preseason Week 4

Identifying Steeles Practice Squad Options

Steelers Waive Injured CB Brian Allen; Claim CB Jhavonte Dean from Cleveland

Josh Dobbs to Start for Steelers vs. Carolina

Steelers Sights and Sounds: Last Shot

Winners and Losers from Steelers’ Preseason Week 3