The Carolina Panthers are spending four days in Houston as they prepare for their second preseason game against the Texans on Saturday. The visit began with a joint practice on Thursday, providing both teams an opportunity to assess their progress ahead of the upcoming season.
During Thursday’s session, both defenses made things difficult for the offenses, but each side found success during two-minute drills. Panthers head coach Dave Canales is focused on maintaining that level of play through the weekend. “I just keep convincing our guys that’s who we are,” Canales said after practice. “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.”
One player drawing attention is second-year receiver Xavier Legette, who displayed improved skills during practice, particularly in a contested touchdown catch against Texans corner Jaylin Smith. Reflecting on his offseason work, Legette said earlier this week: “I think everything that I did this offseason is carrying on. I feel like I’m in a good spot right now.
“Like getting in and out of the breaks, I’m cutting off of the right foot and not cutting off the inside foot; catching with them hands, it’s all coming into play.”
Legette will have another chance to show his development after being ejected from last week’s game against Cleveland following an altercation with Browns defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins.
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown returned to action after missing previous sessions due to injury concerns and was instrumental in limiting Houston’s running game during practice. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik highlighted Brown’s impact: “Derrick Brown is back. He’s very much back, and he shows up at practice, and that makes all of our guys better.” With Brown expected to play alongside other starters Saturday, coaches hope to see continued improvement from a rebuilt defensive line.
Edge rusher Patrick Jones II contributed two sacks during Thursday’s drills as well.
Rookie safety Lathan Ransom has also been making strides recently by taking a more aggressive approach in practices and games over the past two weeks. His increased involvement gives him another opportunity Saturday to make his case for a larger role within the secondary.
Special teams remain an area of competition for Carolina, especially at kicker where Matthew Wright and Ryan Fitzgerald continue vying for the starting job under new kickoff rules designed to encourage creative kicking strategies. Canales noted: “Ryan had a nice kickoff that he put on the ground in the landing zone… Matt did a great job putting the ball on the ground on our kickoffs as well, with some different types of looks, which I’m excited about, like one of the highlights of the game really was the way that those guys were able to put the ball on the ground in the landing zone.”
Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith continues evaluating multiple returners as roster decisions approach.
The Panthers’ coaching staff plans for starters to participate in approximately three drives each during Saturday’s matchup against Houston unless injury concerns arise following Thursday’s session.
