S Travell Dixon left the game early in the first quarter after taking a shot to the chest while making a nice tackle on a kickoff.
S Trenton Robinson, who injured his shoulder in the second quarter while trying to make a tackle on a punt, will have an MRI on Sunday.
S Marcus Ball missed a couple plays early in the fourth quarter after something happened to his right knee. With the Panthers low on safeties, CB Daryl Worley jumped back there until Ball returned.
WR LaRon Byrd went to the locker room late in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion.
WR Brenton Bersin (ribs), CB Teddy Williams (groin), S Dean Marlowe (hamstring), Ben Jacobs (ankle), Larry Webster (hamstring), Rakim Cox (back), Chris Scott (shoulder), Ed Dickson (groin), Greg Olsen (back) and Kyle Love (concussion) were all held out.
PLAYER NOTES
QB Cam Newton had his second straight efficient performance this preseason going 8-of-12 for 162 yards with a touchdown and a passer rating of 137.5. He also took a couple hits, though, including on a short scramble that made coach Ron Rivera hold his breath.
"The nice thing is I’m glad he didn’t lower his shoulder. He just kind of accepted the tackle," Rivera said. "I’m glad he did it now and save (the more aggressive scrambles) for the regular season."
WR Kevin Norwood scored for the first time since he caught a 20-yard touchdown in No. 1 Alabama's 34-28 upset loss to Auburn on Nov. 13, 2013.
Photo: Margaret Bowles
Norwood, who's in a battle for one of the final receiver spots, caught an 8-yard toss from QB Derek Anderson less than two minutes after bouncing up from a big hit by Titans DB Marqueston Huff.
"I’m hoping this is a step forward for me," Norwood said. "Not being able to play these last couple of years has been frustrating, but at the same time, I have been patient."
CB Bené Benwikere started for the first time since he broke his leg against the Falcons eight months ago. Lined up at nickel, Benwikere stopped the Titans' first drive with a leaping pick of QB Marcus Mariota.
"I literally went to the sideline and sat down and said, 'I finally just got one,' said Benwikere, whose last interception came in Week 14 of his rookie season. "So I’m really just hoping to get more and get some momentum. That is what everybody looks for. Just in general, it was a nice feeling to touch the ball."
CB Zack Sanchez, who like Benwikere has a nose for the football, grabbed his first interception as a pro when LB A.J. Klein tipped a pass from QB Matt Cassel.
"I feel like I had a better week of practice this week," Sanchez said, "getting used to the intensity of practice and making the game easier. You go hard in practice and it makes the game that much easier. I just think that was a big change -- understanding the tempo of how the defense plays."
S Jeremy Cash had four tackles, including one for a loss, plus a stop on special teams.
"Jeremy Cash is really starting to come into his own as a rookie," Rivera said of the UDFA who had three tackles against the Ravens. "I mean, he’s got a ways to go, but he’s one of those guys that seems to be around the ball, very active around the football."
NOTABLE NUGGETS
The Panthers' backup offensive line did a much better job than it did last week against the Ravens, who had three sacks and eight QB hits. None of the Titans show up in either category on Saturday's stat sheet.
"(I'm) very pleased with that second bunch," Rivera said. "Even when the third group got their opportunity, they did some nice things and again, you know, I think our coaches are doing a real nice job with those young guys, and I think they are taking coaching very well."
WR Philly Brown, DE Mario Addison and LB David Mayo were the Panthers' captains for the opening coin toss.
The Nissan Stadium DJ had a sense of humor during the 30-minute third quarter lightning delay spinning tunes like "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head," "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?," "Umbrella" and the Milli Vanilli classic "Blame it on the Rain."