The Carolina Panthers welcome the Buffalo Bills in their preseason finale at home on Friday night. On Wednesday, Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced that most of his starters, including Josh Allen, won't play on Friday night. Despite that news, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule is planning on playing newly named starting quarterback Baker Mayfield and most of his starters in the first quarter through parts of the second. Can Mayfield and the offensive unit find a rhythm and improve communication against the Bills second unit?

The Panthers have found it challenging to keep the receiver and tight end room healthy throughout camp. One player who has stepped up in the absence of Robbie Anderson and Terrace Marshall is Shi Smith. Rhule has spotlighted Smith's camp on multiple occasions and has said that Smith is competing for a starting spot. Is it now a certainty that Shi Smith will be on the initial 53-man roster next Tuesday? Could the Panthers possibly keep 7 receivers?

Plus, Shaq Thompson revealed that he was playing through a "bone-on-bone" knee injury throughout the 2022 season. Thompson also vouched for former App State cornerback Tae Hayes to make the roster, noting that he could "count on him". Could Hayes steal the final roster spot in the secondary? Might the Panthers decide to keep 10 secondary players?

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