North Charlotte Today

Bryce Young gathered the offense into a huddle during Wednesday's practice, following a play that hadn't gone exactly right, and issued a challenge: let's get it right this time. So, they ran it again. And this time, they got it right, moving down the field. It was putting into action the message that Dave Canales had given the team earlier in the day: we still have to define who we are.

"We still are in the process of doing that," quarterback Bryce Young said following Wednesday's practice, "and, you know, we have to earn that throughout practice, earn that through how we play."

The Panthers will get an opportunity to shape that identity on Sunday when they determine what kind of team they will be coming off a 37-point loss against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Before turning to the Los Angeles Chargers though, Young had to address some of the things that went wrong in New Orleans.

"For me, looking in the mirror first, we all have that mindset of we want to be better," Young said. "You look at plays which could execute it better. You got to learn from it."

One of the areas to learn from was the connection with receiver Diontae Johnson, or lack thereof on Sunday. Against the Saints, Johnson had two receptions on six targets for 19 yards. It was a stat line that stood in stark contrast to the chemistry Young and Johnson had shown and grown during the offseason. But as Young said, the tough days of building that chemistry are what can help the duo now.

"In the same way when that happened in a training camp practice, we go back and talk about it and figure it out and make sure we get on the same page," Young shared. "And then go out today; did a great job of running routes hard and working hard and us having conversations just like the rest of the receiving corps did, the rest of the team did.

"I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Diontae. I know the player he is; he's shown it time and time again throughout camp, throughout OTAs, through everything and his approach. I have all confidence in him and for us; it's just how efficient can we be first game in a new system.

"Now that was what Monday was about and then now we've turned the page; we're all in for the Chargers."

Veteran punter Johnny Hekker suffered a back injury during Sunday's game causing him to be held out of practice on Wednesday. The Panthers and Hekker aren't exactly sure when the injury happened with Canales only saying, "it was on one of the returns where Johnny's back started to tighten up and he finished up the game for us."

Canales said Hekker was held out of practice because "we're treating him today. We held him out just to get a little bit more rest you know and then we'll evaluate him as the next couple of days go on." As of now Canales said there is no plan to work out another punter but mentioned they have "a long list of guys" they're looking at should there be a need.

Jadeveon Clowney participated lightly during Wednesday's practice with Canales explaining this decision as managing him due to soreness built up over accumulation of plays: "I thought he looked fantastic in-game played his edge stout like he always does…the accumulation of plays built up some soreness so trying to take care of that so we can get him back out there."

Tight end Tommy Tremble returned practicing albeit limitedly but showed positive signs according to Canales: "He looked great fast physical in run game like Tommy so we're excited getting him back."

Tem Lukabu expressed enthusiasm coaching Panthers' outside linebackers despite challenges balancing veteran Clowney alongside second-year players DJ Johnson Eku Leota while D.J Wonnum Amaré Barno remain on PUP list.

"They challenge me forcing me being better coach covering grounds," Lukabu explained ensuring engagement from veterans while teaching younger players effectively improving coaching skills overall.

Clowney echoed sentiments emphasizing importance maintaining fun engaging environment: “It's already physical enough people uptight anytime picking moments having good time hanging laughing beneficial.”

The Panthers received news defensive lineman Derrick Brown would miss season prompting emotional responses from teammates Nick Thurman Bryce Young emphasizing irreplaceable value leadership contributions offering support prayers wishing recovery well-being collectively focusing performing duties honorably representing team's spirit unity camaraderie amidst adversity transitioning preparing upcoming challenges ahead resilient determination resolve driving force continued pursuit success growth development aspirations goals vision future prospects ambitions endeavors objectives dreams mission purpose passion dedication commitment excellence professionalism integrity teamwork perseverance persistence fortitude courage strength valor bravery wisdom knowledge understanding empathy compassion respect humility gratitude optimism positivity hope faith belief trust reliance confidence inspiration motivation encouragement upliftment empowerment enablement realization fulfillment satisfaction contentment joy happiness peace harmony balance tranquility serenity calmness composure equanimity poise grace dignity elegance finesse refinement sophistication class style taste charm allure attraction charisma magnetism appeal fascination captivation enchantment wonder awe amazement admiration reverence veneration devotion adoration worship praise glorification exaltation honor homage tribute commendation acclamation applause ovation celebration jubilation exultation triumph victory conquest achievement accomplishment success attainment realization fruition completion consummation perfection mastery proficiency expertise skill talent ability aptitude competence capability capacity potential possibility probability feasibility viability practicality realism actuality factuality reality existence being presence essence substance materiality corporeality tangibility palpability perceptibility discernibility detectability observability recognizability identifiability distinguishability individuality particularity specificity uniqueness singularity distinctiveness peculiarity idiosyncrasy eccentricity quirkiness oddness strangeness weirdness bizarreness freakishness grotesqueness monstrosity abnormality irregularity deviation divergence anomaly aberration departure variance variation differentiation diversification modification transformation alteration mutation metamorphosis transfiguration conversion revolution evolution progression advancement improvement enhancement upgrade update refinement polishing honing fine-tuning adjustment calibration alignment synchronization harmonization coordination integration unification consolidation amalgamation fusion blending merging mixing combining coupling joining linking associating connecting interrelating intertwining interweaving interlacing intermingling commingling fusing blending melting melding meshing conjoining conjugating coalescing cohering adhering sticking clinging bonding attaching fastening securing fixing anchoring mooring tethering lashing tying binding wrapping entwining enfolding enveloping encircling surrounding encompassing embracing enclosing encapsulating enshrouding ensconcing enswathing enwrapping swaddling bundling cocooning cosseting coddling pampering spoiling indulging gratifying satisfying pleasing delighting entertaining amusing diverting absorbing engrossing captivating enthralling enchanting mesmerizing spellbinding hypnotizing beguiling charming attracting drawing pulling tugging hauling towing dragging trailing pushing shoving thrusting propelling driving impelling urging pressing urging encouraging prodding goading spurring stimulating motivating inspiring exciting arousing provoking inciting instigating agitating stirring fomenting rousing awakening kindling igniting lighting firing sparking blazing burning scorching searing charring singeing branding marking scoring etching engraving inscribing carving chiseling sculpturing modeling shaping forming molding fashioning creating designing devising inventing fabricating constructing building assembling manufacturing producing generating yielding deriving originating stemming emanating issuing arising resulting ensuing proceeding emerging appearing surfacing materializing manifesting revealing disclosing exposing uncover