CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil told reporters at the Charlotte Touchdown Club on Friday that he will be ready for the Sept. 13 opener at Jacksonville.

Kalil missed the final two preseason games with a sprained knee.

The four-time Pro Bowl selection joked with reporters at the annual kickoff luncheon for the team that he faked the injury to get out of the rest of training camp and preseason practice.

The apparent return of Kalil is good news for the offensive line. With backup center Brian Folkerts out with an ankle injury, starting right tackle Mike Remmers started at center in Thursday night’s preseason finale at Pittsburgh.

Rookie Daryl Williams started at right tackle.

Remmers and Williams played well enough that Folkerts likely becomes expendable when the team reduced the roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. on Saturday.