Two weeks before the season opener in Tampa Bay, the Panthers practiced without their starting quarterback, left tackle, right guard, and both defensive ends. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln …

But there was some actual good news Sunday as four guys returned from injury, including a pair of safeties.

Rookie Tre Boston completed a practice with the entire team for the first time since May’s draft. The fourth-round pick came back from hernia surgery on July 29, but he left that practice early after tearing scar tissue.

Nine-year veteran Roman Harper, who developed turf toe after stepping on tight end Greg Olsen’s foot on Aug. 1, was also back as the No. 1 strong safety.

“You come here with a want to fit in, and show your worth, and when you get an injury, that sets you back. I was here, but not really out there playing with the guys and going through the wars,” Harper said. “So it was kind of difficult, but it felt good to be back out there today.”

Also returning Sunday: linebacker Chase Blackburn and tackle Nate Chandler.

Blackburn had been out since Aug. 13 with a sore back, and he may have lost his starting spot. A.J. Klein continued to play with the ones during the portion of practice that was open to the media.

Chandler was held out last week to rest his sore knee. He filled in at left tackle for Byron Bell, who is nursing a bad cold.

And don’t be too concerned about Luke Kuechly. The linebacker continued to work with padding wrapped around his right thumb. He hyperextended the thumb last Sunday against the Chiefs, and then played just 15 snaps against the Patriots. But that had nothing to do with the injury, and last year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be fine.

“Everything in my hand is good, wrist is good, it’s just my thumb,” Kuechly said. “The ligament’s good. Everything’s good in there.”

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