Panthers' Jerricho Cotchery, Charles Tillman leave game vs. Patriots with injuries

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery and cornerback Charles Tillman were each forced to the sidelines with injuries in Friday night's preseason game against the New England Patriots.

Cotchery left the field with a groin issue, while Tillman suffered a head injury. Neither player returned to the game.

Following the season-ending injury to Kelvin Benjamin during training camp, Cotchery will be one of several veteran players expected to step up and emerge as reliable targets for quarterback Cam Newton.

Tillman joined the Panthers in free agency after spending the first 12 years of his NFL career with the Chicago Bears, adding some much-needed experience to the defensive backfield.