PREVIEW
The Carolina Panthers (0-0) begin the 2008 regular season with a cross-country match-up against the San Diego Chargers (0-0) at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday at 4:15 p.m. ET. The Panthers' season starts with a most difficult assignment against the defending AFC West champion Chargers.
Carolina will rely on a number of new faces and a couple of familiar ones as they open the year. The Panthers enter the campaign with just six projected starters in the same position from the 2007 season finale at Tampa Bay, meaning that there could be as many as eight new starters on offense and eight on defense.
"There has been change, but we also have a lot of players who have played together for several years," said Panthers head coach John Fox, who attended Castle Park High School in nearby Chula Vista and played in college at San Diego State.
San Diego will provide a stiff test. The Chargers feature perhaps the NFL's top running back in LaDainian Tomlinson, who led the League in rushing with 1,474 yards last year, and other offensive threats like quarterback Philip Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Chris Chambers.
ON THE AIR
Carolina will appear on the FOX Television Network with the broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton, game analyst Brian Baldinger and sideline reporter Laura Okmin.
The game will also be broadcast nationally on the Sports USA Radio Network with the announcing team of play-by-play announcer Larry Kahn, game analyst Terry Donahue and sideline reporter Troy West.
The Panthers can be heard throughout the Carolinas on flagship station WBT and on the Panthers Radio Network. Mick Mixon provides the play-by-play with game analysis from former 16-year NFL veteran safety Eugene Robinson. WBT Sports Director Jim Szoke serves as the color commentator and Greg Brannon contributes as the sideline reporter.
WEAR YOUR PANTHERS PRIDE
Panthers Jersey Color: Blue
Carolinas Medical Center Injury Report
| Carolina Panthers |
| Pos | Player | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri |
| RB | Nick Goings | Hand | FP | FP | P |
| WR | D.J. Hackett | Toe | FP | FP | P |
| C | Geoff Hangartner | Ankle | FP | FP | P |
| QB | Matt Moore | Leg | LP | O | O |
| WR | Ryne Robinson | Knee | DNP | DNP | O |
| San Diego Chargers |
| Pos | Player | Injury | Wed | Thu | Fri |
| TE | Antonio Gates | Toe | FP | | P |
| C | Nick Hardwick | Foot | DNP | | O |
| T | Marcus McNeill | Neck | DNP | | O |
| LB | Shawne Merriman | Knee | FP | | P |
| DT | Jamal Williams | Knee | FP | | P |
Key
DNP - Did Not Participate in Practice
LP - Limited Participation (less than 100 percent of a player's normal repetitions)
FP - Full Participation (100 percent of a player's normal repetitions)
O - Out (definitely will not play)
D - Doubtful (at least 75 percent chance will not play)
Q - Questionable (50-50 chance will not play)
P - Probable (virtual certainty will be available for normal duty)