SAN FRANCISCO — Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive end Jared Allen will start Sunday the against Denver Broncos, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Friday.
Both players said all week they expected to start in Super Bowl 50 after getting injured during the playoffs.
“I really was real pleased with what we got from both those guys. I’m excited about having them back on the football field,” Rivera said. “The only last hurdle obviously is the conversation I have to have with the doctors just to make sure and that they’re feeling comfortable. But I’d be surprised if it was anything different.”
Davis broke his right forearm during the NFC Championship Game against Arizona, a game Allen missed after breaking a small bone in his right foot in the divisional round against Seattle.
Friday was the Panthers’ final practice before Sunday’s game, although they’ll have a walk-through Saturday.
During a brief conference call with Charlotte reporters Friday afternoon, Rivera said the Panthers had a smooth week in San Jose and there were no issues with the team’s self-imposed curfew.
Rivera said his players were able to soak up the experience — as he’d encouraged them to do — while focusing during meetings and at practices at San Jose State.
“I really do appreciate that one minute we’re sitting there and they’re enjoying themselves. They’re doing the media. They’re doing the other little things,” Rivera said. “And then the next minute we’re in the meetings rooms, we’re on the practice field and they’re focusing in on the thing that we need to do.”
The Panthers will go to Levi’s Stadium on Saturday for a team picture, while getting a chance to check out the turf and surroundings at the 49ers’ home in Santa Clara.
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