[vc_row no_margin=”true”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner no_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_raw_html]

JTNDY2VudGVyJTNFJTNDJTIxLS0lMjAlMkYyMTg0OTY4MDklMkZNb2JpbGVBQUElMjAtLSUzRSUwQSUzQ2RpdiUyMGlkJTNEJTI3ZGl2LWdwdC1hZC0xNDQxNTk2MjA3NTkyLTIlMjclMjBzdHlsZSUzRCUyN2hlaWdodCUzQTUwcHglM0IlMjB3aWR0aCUzQTMyMHB4JTNCJTI3JTNFJTBBJTNDc2NyaXB0JTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyN3RleHQlMkZqYXZhc2NyaXB0JTI3JTNFJTBBZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoJTI4ZnVuY3Rpb24lMjglMjklMjAlN0IlMjBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSUyOCUyN2Rpdi1ncHQtYWQtMTQ0MTU5NjIwNzU5Mi0yJTI3JTI5JTNCJTIwJTdEJTI5JTNCJTBBJTNDJTJGc2NyaXB0JTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNFJTNDJTJGY2VudGVyJTNF

[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]

While the Panthers were signing linebacker Luke Kuechly to a contract extension that will keep him in Carolina through 2021, they were also getting ready for the season opener in Jacksonville.

So like Kuechly, let’s turn our attention to football. Here’s what else happened Thursday:

• C Ryan Kalil practiced for a second straight day. He was limited but went through all his reps. “That’s a huge plus,” Rivera said. “We’re feeling really good and confident about it.”

• CB Josh Norman was limited again. As of early Thursday afternoon, he still hadn’t passed the final test of the concussion protocol, but Rivera said that could happen later in the afternoon.

• DT Star Lotulelei wasn’t on the field during the media portion of practice. Even though coach Ron Rivera said Lotulelei came out later, it still looks like his foot injury will keep him out for Week 1.

• TE Richie Brockel (shoulder) and OT Nate Chandler (knee) also didn’t practice.

• QB Joe Webb ran through individual drills with the receivers. With Kevin Norwood still cramming in a new offense, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him inactive Sunday with Webb acting as a fifth wideout.

• Rivera said LB Shaq Thompson will start at strongside linebacker. There’s a chance A.J. Klein could be on the field for the game’s first play depending on personnel, but Thompson is the No. 1 guy.

• Rivera said RB Fozzy Whittaker will be the main kickoff returner.

[vc_row_inner no_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_raw_html]

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

[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]