Steelers vs. Panthers Preseason Week 4: 1st quarter in-game update

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers have an annual tradition in the preseason. For the majority of Mike Tomlin’s tenure in the NFL, the Steelers and Panthers have met up in the 4th week of the preseason.

They did so on Thursday night with the starters watching, and players like Joshua Dobbs and Marcus Allen out to prove they are worthy of a roster spot when the team cuts their roster from 90 players to 53 by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.

The Steelers started with the football, and newly acquired Ryan Switzer delivered a 20-yard return to get the game underway. As Dobbs went under center, it was his mobility which created opportunities for the offense, but once they moved across midfield it was Dobbs’ arm which started to move the football.

After strikes to Justin Hunter and Bucky Hodges the Steelers were set up with 1st down inside the 10-yard line. On second down, Dobbs kept the ball on a zone read play and leaped into the endzone for the Steelers touchdown.

Chris Boswell’s extra point gave the Steelers an early 7-0 lead.

After a Ryan Switzer fair catch, Dobbs went deep to Justin Hunter for a big completion and putting the Steelers into Carolina territory. After a Damoun Patterson reverse, Dobbs hit Tevin Jones for the Steelers’ touchdown. 3-play drive, 1:35 to travel 86-yards for the score.

Boswell tacked on another point-after to make the score 14-0.

The Panthers were driving at the end of the first quarter.