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Starting quarterback Cam Newton is recovering from fractured ribs after recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Defensive end Charles Johnson played in only one preseason game because of a nagging hamstring injury and end Greg Hardy missed the last game with a shoulder contusion. Linebacker Luke Kuechly, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has a small cast on his right hand to protect a hyperextended thumb. New strong safety Roman Harper missed the first three preseason games with turf toe and only was in for a few plays in the finale. Not a pretty picture for the Carolina Panthers. But coach Ron Rivera isn't concerned, insisting all of these key players will be ready for the opener at Tampa Bay a week from today. "That's the nature of the game," Rivera said. "This could happen in the regular season and we'd have to adapt. It's basically the next man up." Rivera seems confident, but are you? Let's get to your questions and a few bold predictions for a Sunday mailbag:
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