Panthers DE Charles Johnson: I need some preseason snaps

Charles Johnson wants to hit someone – and get hit – before the Carolina Panthers open the regular season against Jacksonville on Sept. 13.

The ninth-year defensive end practiced in team drills for the first time since straining his calf at training camp on Aug. 9. Whether it’s Friday against the Patriots or next Thursday at Pittsburgh in Carolina’s final exhibition, Johnson wants to play in the preseason.

“I feel like I do,” Johnson said of needing preseason snaps. “I feel like the first time I get on the field I don’t want it to be Jacksonville.”

Johnson only participated in a handful of team drills Wednesday, taking a step up from Tuesday’s work, where he did individual and positional drills before going on the adjacent field and working on his strength and conditioning.

He worked with trainers Wednesday before practice and then lifted in the weight room after practice. Rivera said, like always, it will depend on how Johnson reacts to the work the following morning that will determine whether he plays against New England.

What Rivera does not want is a repeat of last preseason. Johnson strained his hamstring twice last preseason and only got 27 snaps in the second exhibition before being shut down for the rest of preseason.

“You don’t want their first live contact to be the opener, and unfortunately that’s what we had last year with Charles,” Rivera said. “We want to be smart about it because we want to make sure he’s ready to roll because he’s such an important part of what we do defensively. Getting him some reps whether it be this weekend or Thursday is going to be very important.”

Fellow defensive lineman Star Lotulelei appeared at practice for the first time since suffering a stress reaction in his surgically repaired right foot early in training camp. He did work on a stationary bike throughout practice and left before the end of practice.

Rookie receiver Devin Funchess (hamstring) did work in team drills, as did tight end Brandon Williams (groin). Williams is now off the preseason physically unable to perform list.

Center Ryan Kalil (knee) and fullback/tight end Richie Brockel (shoulder) were not at practice for a third straight day.

Fullback Mike Tolbert says he feels like 2013

Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert feels like he’s back in his Pro Bowl form from 2013 even if his early preseason play isn’t reflecting it.

Tolbert has three carries for 6 yards through two exhibitions, including getting stopped on two tries inside the 2 last week against the Dolphins.

“Absolutely,” Tolbert said when asked if he felt like the player that went to the Pro Bowl in 2013. “Y’all don’t see me? Looking like a chiseled, Greek god right now. I feel great man. Ready to ride.”

The 5-foot-9, 250-pound Tolbert has been a versatile weapon in Carolina’s backfield. But last year he suffered a hairline fracture in his right leg and was placed on temporary IR. His 2.1-yards-per-rush last season was the lowest in his seven-year career.

Tolbert had 6 yards on a draw play in the first quarter against Miami on third down. The next time he got the ball he was stopped for a 1-yard gain at the 1. On the next play he lost a yard. Carolina would turn the ball over on downs after not getting into the end zone.

Tolbert chalked up the red zone woes to miscommunication and said that’s why they play the preseason.

He promised Wednesday he’s back to where he was at the end of the 2013 season.

“I’m already there,” he said. “Just got to stay healthy, continue to take care of my body as I have the past year and just play ball. Do what I need to do to help my team win.”

Rivera: Starters should play into 3rd quarter

Cam Newton and the rest of the Panthers starters should play into the third quarter on Friday against the New England Patriots, coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday.

Rivera said 35 to 40 plays would be “perfect” for the team, wanting them to come out of halftime and play a series before handing it over to the backups in the season’s third exhibition game.

Newton played 16 snaps at Buffalo and 22 against the Dolphins in two games where the opposing offense dominated time of possession in the first half.

But with the injuries to the Panthers – from Kelvin Benjamin and Frank Alexander to Ryan Kalil and more – would Rivera consider dialing back some of the first-team offenses snaps in order to preserve the players for the regular season?

“That’s when people tend to get hurt,” Rivera said. “You try to be careful. If you say, ‘Oh well he’s only going to play 20,’ then he starts gearing down. You tell them hey guys we’ll see how it goes in the third quarter and make a decision then. I think that’s better. Then they’ll play and won’t start thinking about dialing it down.”

Last year in the third exhibition against New England, Newton played in 28 snaps before suffering cracked ribs that would keep him out of the season opener at Tampa Bay.

More read-option not answer for less Benjamin

You can cross “more read-option plays” off your list of things the Panthers might try in their offense following the loss of Kelvin Benjamin.

Wednesday after practice, Rivera shot down the idea of the team reverting back to read option that was so heavy in Carolina’s 2011 and 2012 offenses.

The Panthers have tried to make Newton more of a pocket passer and don’t want to regress just because of the loss of a receiver, albeit their top receiver in Benjamin.

Also, with Newton’s $103.8 million contract extension, Carolina doesn’t want Newton running as much as he did in his first two seasons in the NFL.

“I don’t think we’re going to do any more than we’ve done in the past,” Rivera said. “The thing we’re waiting for is for Devin (Funchess) to be healthy and get him out on the football field. He runs a lot of the same type of routes (as Kelvin). He’s almost as imposing a target as Kelvin and the biggest thing with him is the confidence that he plays with as he develops.

“Guys like (Corey Brown) have to continue to step up. He can’t have the type of start he had last week. (Jerricho) Cotchery obviously will play a bigger role. And it’s interesting because we’ve got so many young guys that have been put in position to make plays.

“And then of course the one guy that’s been the constant has been Greg Olsen. We’ve got to find other creative ways to make sure he’s open and get him the ball.”

This story was originally published August 26, 2015 at 6:48 PM with the headline "Panthers DE Charles Johnson: I need some preseason snaps."