The Carolina Panthers held a joint practice with the Houston Texans in hot and humid conditions, as head coach Dave Canales sought to prepare his team for similar weather expected during their regular season opener in Jacksonville. Temperatures were in the low 90s, with high humidity levels challenging players’ endurance.
Canales noted the impact of fatigue on performance after observing several pre-snap penalties during practice. “Fatigue, lack of focus, that’s something that we have to learn to do better,” Canales said. “We have to be able to fight through fatigue, fight through exhaustion, it’s going to be hot. We’re going to go to Jacksonville in Week 1. It’s going to feel like this.
“Can we maintain that level of focus play after play, regardless of what the last play did? Can you breathe on your way back, and then can you execute? And I saw the penalties pile up when we were tired. That’s something that we have to get better at.”
Despite those errors, Canales was encouraged by how both offensive units finished strong with late touchdown drives—Bryce Young connecting with Ja’Tavion Sanders and Andy Dalton finding Hunter Renfrow. “I thought it got sloppy in the middle, responded at the end with two great two-minute finishes for touchdowns at the end of the practice over here, which was phenomenal,” Canales said. “And I just keep convincing our guys that’s who we are. We finish. Games can get ugly in the middle. We have to be able to focus and rebound. So I was really excited about that part.”
Rookie linebacker Nic Scourton left practice early due to heat-related issues but received prompt treatment from medical staff and may return soon. “They got him in there, tried to get his core temperature back down, he had to take some IV fluids, and we just didn’t feel comfortable putting him back out there to finish the practice,” Canales explained.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn sat out due to stitches from a recent car accident and is not expected for Saturday’s preseason game. Wide receiver Jalen Coker missed practice because of illness but has not been ruled out for upcoming action.
Defensively, turnovers were a focal point as Panthers defenders intercepted multiple passes against Texans quarterbacks Davis Mills and C.J. Stroud during drills focused on ball security and red zone scenarios.
“Man, I saw a lot of energy,” safety Tre’von Moehrig said about his teammates’ efforts forcing turnovers. “The guys flying around the ball, being physical, took the ball away a couple of times, so I thought we had great energy coming out here and had a good practice.” Outside linebacker Patrick Jones II added: “Anytime you get a pick in the red zone, that’s big time…just so great knowing when I’m rushing, I got players like that behind me and just keep making plays like that.”
With Trevin Wallace unavailable due to personal reasons but present later at practice facilities, defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero tested depth at linebacker by rotating Jon Rhattigan, Thomas Incoom and rookie Bam Martin-Scott into first-team reps.
A notable moment came from English exchange player Mapalo Mwansa who forced a fumble during special teams drills—a highlight as he continues learning American football through an international program allowing him roster exemption status.
Mwansa commented on his progress: “That was big…Now just have to keep working, keep learning, keep stacking days.”
Aside from Scourton’s brief exit for heat concerns—which staff addressed quickly—the Panthers avoided significant injuries during their session with Houston.
“It’s been a little unseasonably cool. I know we’ve kind of been spoiled with the weather a little bit,” Canales observed regarding recent conditions prior to arriving in Houston. He expressed satisfaction with players’ conditioning: “But I felt confident about our conditioning level…This was a crescendo of the hard work.
“I love that we were able to come out here to play all the way through…For the most part this is a very fit group that’s ready to play football…If we see that you’re gassed we’ll get somebody else out there…the depth that we’re building here is so important as we continue into the season.”
