This weekend will be a pretty monumental one for the Carolina Panthers organization, as franchise icon Sam Mills will take his rightful spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday afternoon. But before we get to that, the team still has some work to do.
Here are the top takeaways from the first of those two practices ahead of the upcoming festivities in Canton, Ohio.
Injuries keep a few key players out
The grind of the dog days may be starting to take effect. Following a break on Thursday, the Panthers were without a handful of guys to begin the weekend.
A new name that popped up was wideout Terrace Marshall Jr., who suited up in red due to a hamstring strain. Head coach Matt Rhule, however, told reporters his recovery shouldn’t take too long.
Rhule also noted that guard Austin Corbett, who was not in any color jersey, sat following the removal of an ingrown toenail.
Additionally, the team continues to take things slow with cornerback Jaycee Horn—who was not in shells this time around. The second-year defender returned from the active-physically unable to perform list on Monday.
JJ Jansen gives the Panthers their best chance to win
Thursday wasn’t a complete off-day for the team, as they waived 2021 sixth-round pick Thomas Fletcher. The move, obviously, clears way for the 15th-year veteran in Jansen at the long snapper position.
Rhule said Jansen, who is in line to break a franchise record for games played, was just the smarter choice for 2022.
“I think JJ’s done a tremendous job,” he said. “And we feel like ‘Hey, that’s the best chance to win moving forward.’ That being said, I think Fletch is gonna play a long time in this league. And it felt like it was the right time to enable him to go find another team.”
According to Will Kunkel of FOX Charlotte, Fletcher has already drawn interest from the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Chuba Hubbard is making a second-year leap
Much of the focus surrounding Carolina’s backfield, of course, has been on Christian McCaffrey. But Rhule and McCaffrey took some time to laud Hubbard for the strides he’s taken this summer.
“Chuba’s had an excellent camp,” Rhule said. “The key with him right now is how good he is without the ball—in the passing game and in protections. And I think Chuba’s growth in protections has been outstanding.”
“Man, he’s made so many jumps,” McCaffrey later added. “Obviously, he’s physically gifted. But his timing, his patience, everything mentally—it’s been fun to watch. I think watching Chuba last year to this year, he’s definitely made a massive jump.”
Brian Burns sees improvement from Ikem Ekwonu
Ekwonu’s development has been an intriguing topic of discussion this week, particularly when Rhule said his 2022 first-rounder still has a “long way to go.” But defensive end Brian Burns already sees the young offensive lineman getting there.
“Ickey gettin’ better,” said Burns, who matched up with the rookie on Friday. “He gettin’ a lot better actually.”
With Corbett out, the Panthers shuffled their line a bit more today. That gave Ekwonu some extra reps on the blindside, with Brady Christensen kicking in to left guard.
Notable observations
Jaycee Horn not even in shells today as Panthers continue to bring him back slowly.
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) August 5, 2022
Lifetime long snapper JJ Jansen is suited and booted today. pic.twitter.com/BLZNeqDPcn
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 5, 2022
No pads for Austin Corbett today
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) August 5, 2022
Just spotted him in a red jersey going on the bike https://t.co/iJl99Bur8T
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) August 5, 2022
No practice for Panthers CB Jaycee Horn on Day 8 of camp pic.twitter.com/H4nDAopkUY
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) August 5, 2022
Same matchup back at it today https://t.co/FXgvtRzDxd pic.twitter.com/F7S1I5RzSL
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) August 5, 2022
Robbie Anderson has speed and jumps. He just hopped up to grab a Darnold pass, really having a solid camp the last few days
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) August 5, 2022
Darnold goes 4 for 4 with three completions of 12 yards or more. DJ Moore two catches, Robbie Anderson with one. https://t.co/jdRgWpQ4eA
— Ellis L. Williams (@BookofEllis) August 5, 2022
Matt Rhule watching Brady Christensen vs Brian Burns pic.twitter.com/nTnErwNGO4
— Bill Voth (@PanthersBill) August 5, 2022
📝: Mayfield’s ball placement has been good today. Threads needle – hitting Thompson down the middle for a 20 yard gain in 2nd 7v7 reps.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2022
A lot of interesting rotation going on among some starters on the line today.
This group was running with Darnold and the 2s pic.twitter.com/dHky0xnvYr
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) August 5, 2022
This is the current group running with the ones.
Bozeman has been running with the 2s at center pic.twitter.com/jv1ReRNDgX
— John Ellis (@1PantherPlace) August 5, 2022
📝: Red zone 11v11, Darnold hits Saunders with a nice TD pass in the back of the end zone for the score. He’s only missed 1 or 2 throws all day. Also had a red zone TD to Zylstra.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2022
📝: Corral gets red zone series with 3s. 2 plays. First was a run. Overthrows receiver in back in end zone on next rep.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2022
