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By MIKE CRANSTON (AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Players quickly showered and dressed in the Pittsburgh locker room Thursday night before hustling to the bus following their 21-10 victory over Carolina in the exhibition finale.

Some of the stars may have been able to skip the shower part.

Starters on both sides played only three snaps apiece. Ben Roethlisberger threw one pass — a 7-yard completion on third-and-9. The first-team defense, playing without star linebacker James Harrison, forced a three-and-out to complete the preseason without allowing a touchdown.

It's no surprise then that the Steelers (3-1) appeared in a hurry to leave Carolina. Just one week until the real stuff starts against Tennessee.

"I really have a great deal of respect for how these guys competed and worked," said coach Mike Tomlin, who rested several players, including Harrison. "Now we begin the process of moving forward and attacking the season."

The best news for Carolina (0-4) after an injury-plagued, poor-tackling, disjointed preseason is that linebacker Jon Beason is confident he'll return from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee to play in the opener.

"I really don't have any doubt in my mind," Beason said.

The Panthers need their top tackler from last season. The first-team couldn't stop Pittsburgh's reserves.

Rookie running back Isaac Redman may have cemented his spot on the 53-man roster by barreling over Chris Harris, Julius Peppers and others on a 10-yard touchdown run.

That happened shortly after Stefan Logan made a claim for the return job, bringing back a punt 80 yards for a touchdown as the Steelers built a 14-0 lead.

"I don't make decisions. They make decisions with how they play," said Tomlin, who will announce his cuts Friday.

The Panthers may be searching for a punt returner on the waiver wire this weekend. Kenny Moore, Captain Munnerlyn and Larry Beavers all fumbled.

"Believe it or not we do practice catching punts," Panthers coach John Fox said.

Jake Delhomme was 2 of 4 for 19 yards before exiting after two series, seven plays and one first down as the first-team offense finished with one touchdown in the preseason.

The Panthers were trying to downplay concerns after the game. The Steelers just wanted to move on to bigger things: celebrating their title and opening the NFL season next Thursday.

"The whole nation will be watching," defensive end Nick Eason said.

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