What You Need to Know: Preseason Week 3 Steelers vs. Panthers

by Joe Kuzma (joe_kuzma) on August 27, 2021

What You Need to Know is a weekly series featuring a quick glance at the upcoming Steelers game, including odds, records, things to watch for, and how to watch/listen to the game.

Gameday Information

Date: Friday, August 27th, 2021
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, NC)
Capacity: 75,525 (FieldTurf)
TV: CBS locally on KDKA-TV, NFL Game Pass (see other TV coverage below)
- Bob Pompeani (play-by-play)
- Charlie Batch (analysis)
- Missi Matthews (field reporter)
Radio: NFL Game Pass, Sirius XM
Radio: Steelers Radio Network (48 affiliates – see below)
- Bill Hillgrove (play-by-play)
- Craig Wolfley (analysis)
- Max Starks (field reporter)
Referee: Ronald Torbert

What To Watch For

Expect Joshua Dobbs to take the majority of snaps at quarterback as the Steelers rest most of their first-team players.
Mike Tomlin announced Dwayne Haskins as the starter but would not commit to whether he plays a full half.
Tomlin also announced that Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph will not play Friday night.
Expect veterans such as Cameron Heyward, and Joe Haden to be in street clothes.
Tomlin added that Najee Harris will sit this game out.
Other first and second-year players such as rookie TE Pat Freiermuth might see limited action. Defensive players may see more time than those on offense.
Haskins will play with a mix of young players, including several who are fighting for a roster spot.
Benny Snell will make his preseason debut after being sidelined due to injury for most of this Summer.
Watch for players who may be on the roster bubble or who have to impress to earn a spot on the active roster and/or practice squad.
The top battles on offense are in the backfield (running backs) and the wide receivers.
On defense, the Steelers roster is heavy along the defensive front, with several bubble players on the line and at the linebacker positions.