[vc_row no_margin=”true”][vc_column width=”1/1″]Carolina coach Ron Rivera hoped to get defensive end Charles Johnson in for a few snaps during Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Steelers. Instead, the Panthers are being prudent.

Johnson is staying in Charlotte while the team heads to Pittsburgh Wednesday.

After a strained calf kept him out of the first three preseason games, Johnson tweaked his trap after Sunday’s practice. He remained inside with trainers during Monday and Tuesday’s practices.

The Panthers remain hopeful he’ll be ready to go in Week 1, but there will be some concern about another slow start. A troublesome hamstring kept Johnson out of all but one of last year’s preseason games and he then went through the first month of the regular season without a sack.

Most starters, including quarterback Cam Newton, are expected to be rested against the Steelers. Rookie receiver Devin Funchess, who’s missed the past two games with a sore hamstring, is making the trip to Pittsburgh.[line][vc_raw_html]

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