Rivera’s focus on wide receivers, right defensive end

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Ron Rivera says he’ll be paying close attention to his team’s wide receivers and defensive ends when the Panthers open the preseason Friday night at Buffalo.

Carolina is deeper than it has ever been at wide receiver under Rivera, which has made for good competition at training camp and tough decisions ahead.

Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Jerricho Cotchery and Ted Ginn Jr. appear to be locks to make the roster, but there’s a crowd behind them fighting for employment including Corey “Philly” Brown, Brenton Bersin, Mike Brown, Jarrett Boykin and Damiere Byrd.

Rivera says “we’ve got five or six or seven guys right now that are battling,” Rivera said. “We really haven’t projected anybody as clear-cut, top five or six. But we’ve got a group of guys that are” battling.

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