The Carolina Panthers resumed practice on Monday following their first preseason game and a day off, with head coach Dave Canales noting the team’s strong focus despite lingering soreness and rainy conditions during the final part of the session.
“It felt like a Work Wednesday,” Canales said, referring to their typical in-season routine. “I could sense and I could feel that guys were still a little bit sore from the game. I was nervous that we were going to kind of start out slow. They did not let that happen. The guys got together, they challenged each other, and the energy was great from play one until the end, where it really started to rain on us.
“And I think it was just a really cool moment for me to kind of point to this afternoon to say this is it, we don’t get do-overs. You think about a week in the regular season. You might get two live reps and two walk-through reps of a play, and that’s about what you get. You’ve got to nail it. You have to be able to bring it and be focused, and it was a great challenge. It felt good to kind of point it out that way.”
Several players are dealing with injuries as training camp continues. Cornerback Jaycee Horn worked on conditioning drills on the side after being involved in a car accident last week that resulted in stitches between his thumb and index finger due to airbag deployment.
“If we were playing a game, he would be fine to do that; he would be out there,” Canales said regarding Horn’s status for upcoming games. “Just kind of taking care of it because we are in preseason mode right now. He had some stitches in between his thumb and index finger, and so we’ve just got to make sure that that thing’s healing up the right way so that no infections happen or there’s no setbacks. It’s not worth it to put him in that situation.”
Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt left practice but returned with his ankle taped after receiving his expected workload for the day. With left guard Damien Lewis still sidelined by a shoulder injury, Brandon Walton and Ja’Tyre Carter filled in at guard positions during practice.
Defensive end LaBryan Ray remains out with a high ankle sprain after missing Friday’s game; he is considered week-to-week as he competes for a roster spot among an improved defensive line group this year. Canales expressed hope that both Ray and Chandler Zavala (knee) could return for the final preseason matchup against Pittsburgh.
Despite not participating fully in practice, Jaycee Horn continued coaching teammates from the sidelines—a role he’s taken throughout training camp when unable to play.
“The same way, how you see him on the sideline, that’s the same way he is on the field. He don’t ever be quiet,” joked receiver Xavier Legette.
Legette described their communication: “I ain’t got nothing to say. I just let him know, if I feel like I got him on something, I just let him know. And vice versa, he’ll let me know, ‘No, X, that ain’t it.'”
Monday’s 1-on-1 drills featured competitive matchups across both sides of the ball: Hunter Renfrow used quick moves against Tre’von Moehrig before Moehrig responded with tight coverage later; Xavier Legette faced Mike Jackson closely; rookie Jimmy Horn Jr., meanwhile, made notable plays against Michael Reid and Chau Smith-Wade.
“It’s that type of work, it’s that type of development and mindset that Jimmy has that he wants it,” Canales said Monday about Horn Jr., highlighting his approach during camp.
Other highlights included Adam Thielen catching an over-the-shoulder pass past safety Trevian Thomas; Jalen Coker battling Mello Dotson for possession; Tetairoa McMillan securing a long pass downfield against Corey Thornton.
Off-field efforts by Jimmy Horn Jr. also drew praise from Canales—who compared him favorably with veteran wideout David Moore based on work ethic:
“It’s just pushing him to grow every day; show us that we have to have you here,” Canales said.”Show us that we have to put you on the field, show us that we can count on you…he’s really competing…It reminds me of a young David Moore…It’s that type of work…that goes really far with us.”
