CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera has said throughout the preseason the plan is to keep Joe Webb as the third quarterback.

But can the Panthers realistically afford to keep Webb behind Cam Newton and Derek Anderson today when they cut the roster from 75 to 53 players?

Should they attempt to trade him after a preseason in which he posted a rating of 100.1 and completed 61.7 percent of his passes for three touchdowns and no interceptions?

To keep Webb will mean keeping one less wide receiver or running back. Running back in particular is deep with six players competing for four or five spots. Undrafted rookie Brandon Wegher is certain to be gone if you keep Webb.

To keep Webb means keeping one less linebacker. Is Webb more valuable on special teams than A.J. Klein, David Mayo or Jason Trusnik?

To keep Webb might mean going into the preseason extremely thin at cornerback. Josh Norman is in the concussion protocol after he suffered a concussion in Thursday's preseason finale at Pittsburgh, and Teddy Williams has a groin injury.

If neither can play in the Sept. 13 opener at Jacksonville, the Panthers almost assuredly will need to keep six cornerbacks to assure they have four healthy. Ideally, they'd keep only five.

To keep Webb means cutting defensive end Rakim Cox or defensive tackle Terry Redden. Neither are ready to compete among the top four at their positions, but they've shown flashes in camp.

Ideally, the Panthers would trade Webb for an upgrade at wide receiver if there is a team willing to deal. That might not be an option.

That Webb can play all four special teams units is a plus. It means he won't be wasting away on the end of the bench as a third-string quarterback that won't play.

The Panthers like Webb. They like his versatility and what he brings to the locker room. They like he has a unique skill set to run the read option in case something happens to Newton.

In a pinch he can play wide receiver.

But can the Panthers' afford to keep him with needs at other positions? Probably, but it will be something to keep an eye on as the cut-down deadline at 4 p.m. ET draws near.