Observations from Thursday night’s Carolina Panthers game at Baltimore against the Ravens:
▪ Former Panthers receiver Steve Smith made the rounds before the game talking to his former teammates and coaches. Smith, who’s on the preseason physically unable to perform list, hugged dozens of Panthers players and shook hands and talked with quarterback Cam Newton briefly. One person he did not greet was general manager Dave Gettleman, who released Smith in 2014. Smith has since said he was “stabbed in the back” by Gettleman.
▪ Seven Panthers did not dress in uniform the game. Cornerback Leonard Johnson (Achilles), safety Dean Marlowe (hamstring), fullback Devon Johnson (back), linebacker Ben Jacobs (ankle), defensive end Larry Webster (hamstring), defensive end Rakim Cox (back) and tight end Ed Dickson (groin). Center Ryan Kalil warmed up in uniform and then wore street clothes on the sideline during the game as Gino Gradkowski got the start. Running back Jonathan Stewart didn’t play either.
▪ Brandon Wegher had a tough series late in the second quarter. He lost a yard on his first carry, bobbled and dropped a pass on second down and then was taken down for no gain on the third down play.
▪ The Ravens didn’t play Joe Flacco, but Ryan Mallett looked like him for at least one series. Mallett went 6-for-6 for 49 yards on a touchdown drive early in the second quarter against what was mostly the second-team Carolina defense.
▪ Philly Brown nearly had a 33-yard catch inside the 10 before it was called back in the second quarter. Kevin Norwood was flagged for offensive pass interference when he appeared to be pushed into a Ravens defensive back that held up the defense.
▪ Mario Addison made a short Swayze Waters’ punt even shorter late in the second quarter. He interfered with the returner on a 38-yard punt, and the 15-yard penalty put the ball at the Panthers’ 30 with less than 2 minutes to go. The Ravens scored shortly after.
