The Panthers held their annual Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night. Fans were treated to a scrimmage game, a fireworks show and Cam Newton leading the wave, as per tradition.
Here are a few injury notes from the media.
LB Luke Kuechly
The exact nature of Kuechly’s injury is a bit of a mystery. Coach Ron Rivera yanked him from practice a couple of days ago after he was in a pileup. Since then, he has not been participating in team drills.
Kuechly suited up for practice Friday, but he did not play in the scrimmage.
Rivera has downplayed whatever the issue is. So, until Kuechly actually sits out a couple of preseason games there’s probably not any reason to worry. We will monitor the situation, though.
G Trai Turner, DT Gerald McCoy
A couple of Pro Bowl linemen got the evening off. Guard Trai Turner and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy had vet days.
With Turner not practicing, rookie Dennis Daley got to run with the starters at right guard.
CB Kevon Seymour, DB Rashaan Gaulden
Two defensive backs also sat out: cornerback Kevon Seymour and nickle corner/safety Rashaan Gaulden. Seymour has a tight hamstring and Gaulden has a sore back.
With Tre Boston back in the fold, Gaulden is now expected to play nickel corner and backup safety.
QB Cam Newton
Finally, the franchise quarterback went through a regular practice after getting Thursday off to rest.
Newton’s deep ball is still on point, as he proved with this 70-yard bomb to wide receiver Curtis Samuel.
It’s impossible to tell from that angle where the defensive breakdown happened, but it sounds like safety Eric Reid vacated the post route and left cornerback James Bradberry out to dry. That’s what Reid says, in any case.
This is why they practice. It’s also a reason why they brought back Boston, who is better playing the deep middle of the field than Reid – who’s more suited for playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
The Panthers have today off and return to practice Sunday afternoon.
