It was just what rookie wide receiver Martavis Bryant did not need. The team's fourth-round pick of this past year oozes with both potential and flaws, and likely had a roster spot in hand leading into Thursday's preseason game, but no assurances of a game-day helmet.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Bryant has an AC sprain (separation) in his shoulder, and while Darrius Heyward-Bey showed a decent level of competency, likely in reps and targets Bryant otherwise would have had, it's a question needing to be asked; will the team have to keep six wide receivers and explore the usage of the IR-Recall designation for the third consecutive year on a young player?
The Steelers know they can get more today out of Darrius Heyward-Bey backing up Markus Wheaton at the split end position than they can with Bryant - a young, raw player who will likely pay more dividends next season as opposed to now. Bryant is certainly not a player to cut and a player cannot move to the IR-Recall list without making the 53-man roster. Giving the team the chance to keep a stronger level of game-day depth would appear to be the right move. It would mean they'd have to hamstring themselves at other positions, however.
Keeping two tight ends instead of three, for example, by using fullback Will Johnson as an emergency tight end is one option. Keeping just seven offensive linemen is another, and something the team has done in the past.
Do they want to do all of that for the sake of keeping a fringe-roster receiver? They may have to. Depth at the position was one of the main questions heading into this season, and while the team doesn't have a reason to be overly worried about Antonio Brown, Lance Moore or Markus Wheaton, just like what happened Thursday with Bryant, injuries are only a step away, and one to any of the top three receivers would be very difficult for the team to absorb.
Cornerback Brice McCain injured his right groin during the loss as well. He's right on the fringe of making the team as he and Antwon Blake have battled throughout camp. Neither ever really pulled away from the other, but it appeared Blake had the edge heading into Thursday's game. Blake appeared to be the man primarily responsible for Panthers' receiver Philly Brown getting open deep, hauling in a 53-yard pass from Joe Webb. It set up Fozzy Whittaker's two-yard touchdown run - the only touchdown of the game.