CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have spent the last two practices preparing for the Denver Broncos in the regular season opener, and now they know the quarterback they'll be facing.
Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak named Trevor Siemian his starter for Week 1. Siemian was a seventh-round draft pick from Northwestern in 2015. His only NFL snap outside the preseason was a kneel-down.
Siemian beat out veteran Mark Sanchez and 2016 first-round pick Paxton Lynch for the job.
"We're going to try to project what we expect as far as their offense," said head coach Ron Rivera. "I think we're getting a decent handle as to what we can anticipate, and again, I think there are some good things we can do."
Siemian's lack of NFL experience presents a challenge when it comes to preparation, and Rivera reiterated the need to focus on Denver's system, not just the man under center.
"You're going to have to look at what they do," Rivera said. "If you're trying to figure out who he is and what he does best, you may have to go back and look at the college tape."
INJURY UPDATE: Defensive tackle Kawann Short was absent from practice Monday due to lingering soreness.
"He played a lot the other night, and he got bumped around pretty good," Rivera said. "(Head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion) felt another day of rest would be good for him."
Quarterback Derek Anderson also did not participate due to soreness.
Safety Marcus Ball returned to practice, but fellow safety Dean Marlowe remains out.
View photos of practice from the fourth week of the preseason.
