Samie Parker has never returned a punt during his five seasons in the NFL, but he's confident he can help the Carolina Panthers in that area if given an opportunity.

"I did it all of the time in practice, but unfortunately I had guys in front of me everywhere I've been," said Parker, who began practicing with the team on Wednesday. "In Kansas City, Dante Hall was there for three years and then they brought (Eddie) Drummond in my last year. We had guys that were getting to the Pro Bowl in front of me, so I haven't had the opportunity to showcase what I can do."

That hasn't rattled his confidence.

"I feel like I can handle the job," he said.

Parker, who will wear No. 12, is expected to play tonight at Pittsburgh. He's hoping to earn a spot on the 53-man roster with starting punt returner Ryne Robinson still listed as "week to week" with a sprained knee, according to coach John Fox.

However, it might be hard for the Panthers to justify keeping Parker on the roster when Ricardo Colclough or Chris Gamble are capable of returning punts until Robinson returns.

HACKETT OUT AGAIN: Panthers wide receiver D.J. Hackett is close to returning from a toe injury, but will miss his fourth straight preseason game tonight. Hackett, who has not practiced since Aug. 6, will not make the trip to Pittsburgh with his teammates.

Although Fox would not confirm it, sources close to the team said Hackett is still expected to be ready for the regular season opener against San Diego. When asked if he expects Hackett to be ready for San Diego, Fox replied, "Right now he's day to day."

Robinson will not make the trip to Pittsburgh either.

TAYLOR MADE: Receiver Travis Taylor has caught passes from 12 different quarterbacks during his eight-year NFL career.

Needless to say, he'd like to find some stability here in Carolina with Jake Delhomme.

Said Delhomme, "Hopefully, it's helped him because I know I like things a certain way," Delhomme said. "When we're installing, when (quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator) Mike (McCoy) or (wide receivers coach) Richard Williamson are going over the passing plays, they'll say how things are going to be done, and if there's any kind of question, we'll raise it up. The receivers will bring up a question - ‘OK, now, wait a minute, let's talk about this' - so we try to get on the same page."

CUTS COMING: The Panthers are required to make cuts by 4 p.m. Saturday, but if they hold true to form those cuts won't leak out until around 7 or 8 p.m. Carolina is typically one of the last teams to make their roster moves known to the public.