Panthers Projected Roster: Getting to 53

The Panthers first team offense clicked against Miami, but the backups nearly blew a 17 point lead. The top of the depth chart is basically set, but roster spots are still up for grabs with two games remaining.

Each week during preseason, RapidReports will take a position-by-position look at the players we think are likely to make the final cut to 53 and those who we think may soon be seeking alternative employment:

Stock rising: WR Louis Murphy saw increased time against Miami and leads the team with four catches and 71 yards.  K Justin Medlock put all of his kickoffs into the end zone after getting criticized for a short kick in the Houston game. CB Josh Norman started the Miami game after barely seeing the field against Houston.

Stock falling: CB Brandon Hogan and WR David Gettis lost any chance to win position battles as they struggled to return from injuries.  They’re running out of time to make the roster.

QB -- In: (3) Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Jimmy Clausen. Out: Nobody. Analysis: Unchanged from last week’s projection. The depth chart is solid, with Anderson as the backup and Clausen on the third team.

RB -- In: (3) Jonathan Stewart, DeAngelo Williams, Mike Tolbert (FB). Out: Tauren Poole, Lyndon Rowells, Josh Vaughan, Armond Smith. Analysis: Also unchanged from last week. Poole suffered a concussion and missed the game against Miami. Smith was signed last week and rushed eight times for 31 yards against Miami.

WR -- In: (6) Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Joe Adams, Armanti Edwards, Kealoha Pilares, Louis Murphy. (David Gettis, PUP) Out: Michael Avila, Brenton Bersin, Lamont Bryant, Rico Wallace, Jared Green, Darvin Adams, Seyi Ajirotutu. Analysis:  Murphy survived the cut after seeing his playing time go up against Miami. He caught two passes for 29 yards and ran once for 31. Gettis still hasn’t made it onto the field, and it’s looking less and less like he’ll be ready for the start of the season.

TE -- In: (3) Greg Olsen, Ben Hartsock, Richie Brockel. Out: Gary Barnidge, Joe Jon Finley, Nelson Rosario, Greg Smith. Analysis: No change from last week. Barnidge and Finley each caught one pass against Miami, but that’s probably not enough to unseat Brockel.

OL -- In (9): Ryan Kalil, Geoff Hangartner, Amini Silatolu, Jordan Gross, Byron Bell, Bruce Campbell, Garry Williams, Bryant Browning, Scott Mruczkowski. Out: Jeff Byers, Justin Wells, Will Blackwell, Mike Pollak, Zack Williams, Matt Reynolds, Roger Allen. Analysis: The team signed Mruczkowski after the Miami game. He played in 83 games for San Diego over the last seven seasons and is slated to back up Kalil, who suffered a minor injury against the Dolphins. Allen, who was not active for the Miami game after hurting his foot, loses his roster spot. Andre Ramsey, a projected cut last week, was released.

DL -- In (9): Charles Johnson, Ron Edwards, Greg Hardy, Sione Fua, Frank Alexander, Antwan Applewhite, Frank Kearse, Terrell McClain, Thomas Keiser (Andre Neblett, suspended). Out: Eric Norwood, Nate Chandler, Ryan Van Bergen, Ogemdi Nwagbuo. Analysis: No changes. Norwood didn’t play, and no one else merited a change in the roster based on the Miami game.

LB -- In (8): Jon Beason, Luke Kuechly, James Anderson, Jason Phillips, Jordan Senn, Jason Williams, Thomas Davis, Kenny Onatolu. Out. David Nixon, Kion Wilson. Analysis: No change from last week’s projections.

DB -- In (9): Chris Gamble, Captain Munnerlyn, Darius Butler, R.J. Stanford, Josh Norman, Charles Godfrey, Sherrod Martin, Haruki Nakamura, Jordan Pugh (Brandon Hogan IR). Out: Josh Thomas, Reggie Smith, D.J. Campbell, Jonathan Nelson. Analysis: Nate Ness, who was a projected cut last week, was waived-injured after suffering a concussion in the Houston game.

Special teams -- In (3): Justin Medlock, Brad Nortman, J.J. Jansen. Out: Olindo Mare, Nick Harris. Analysis: The race between Medlock and Mare at K and Nortman and Harris at P are still too close to call. Medlock improved his performance on kickoffs against Miami and had the longest field goal of the game. Harris had a slight edge in punting average against the Dolphins.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Carolina Panthers from blogger Shawn Krest, follow@CBSSportsNFLCAR.