Derrick Brown’s recent performance against the New York Jets was described as “dominant” by Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales. Brown recorded seven tackles, three pass deflections, and two sacks during the game. Canales also highlighted the collective effort of the defensive unit, mentioning contributions from outside linebackers Nic Scourton, D.J. Wonnum, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, Boogie Basham, and defensive linemen A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, and Bobby Brown III.
“But I again I attribute that to the whole group,” Canales said of Brown’s day. “It allows Derrick to play to play across the line of scrimmage in and out of gaps when we’re setting hard edges, got to give a lot of props to Nic Scourton, DJ Wonnum, Princely, Boogie Basam got in there and had a couple of reps, even used Thomas on some pass rush stuff, so rotating group of edge players. And then those guys inside, you know, Turk had a couple of nice plays coming off a block, A’Shawn, Bobby Brown, and the whole group together, they’re just they’re executing the run game plan well together, and then it just finishes with effort.
“And you saw some great effort plays by Derrick, not just in the run game, but also in the pass game, chasing the quarterbacks to minimize some of the scrambles, getting them out of bounds for a 4-yard gain or a 5-yard gain because of the effort to chase them all the way and push them out of bounds. Those are the types of plays that really elevate the whole group, and this is the standard of effort that we’re looking for.”
Canales stated he plans to continue with his current rotation at running back. Chuba Hubbard started against the Jets before alternating series with Rico Dowdle. Dowdle ended with 79 rushing yards and 96 total yards from scrimmage; Hubbard contributed 31 rushing yards and 55 total.
“I anticipate we’ll go the same way,” Canales said. “To have both guys, who really I trust and to know that this is Chuba’s first came back coming off with a little bit of time off. I fully expect that both guys will continue to give us the confidence to call whatever we need to call, in those situations, and I’m glad that Rico contribute he did.
“But also Chuba has had a couple really nice runs, got a really nice screen play where there was a little bit of confusion in the communication with the line kind of standing out there as statues. There’s a little bit of uncertainty of whether there was a go call on the screen or not, but they’re kind of keeping that under wraps right now, but I’m glad the outcome is right.
“And so I’m excited to get to go out this week with two backs that I really trust that will run with the type of style that we expect.”
With starting quarterback Bryce Young listed as day-to-day due to injury concerns ahead of Week 8 against Buffalo Bills, Canales said they are considering adding another quarterback for depth. Andy Dalton would take over as starter if Young cannot play; Hendon Hooker remains on practice squad and may be part of backup discussions.
“We’re looking at that right now,” Canales said Monday. “But again, this is all going to kind of determine on the full evaluation to see where we’re at with Bryce.”
“Yeah, Hendon’s a guy I’m really excited about. Loved him through the evaluation process coming out of Tennessee,” Canales said.
“Spent a couple of years with Detroit getting really good training there, in a system that’s very similar to what we do, looking for the right runs to get to, some of the actions, there’s some carryover there, and so really looking to build off of that.
“He’s done a great job for us just continuing to gather impact information to get himself ready to help us at some point in time.”
If an additional quarterback is brought in this week by Canales and general manager Dan Morgan it would likely be as backup: “probably more of a backup.”
The team is also monitoring left guard Damien Lewis’ recovery after he missed Sunday’s game due to a shoulder injury sustained last Thursday during practice drills. Despite efforts up until game day for his return against New York Jets—where Austin Corbett filled in—Lewis was unable to play.
“We tried to get him back on Sunday. We took it all the way to game day tested (his) strength,” Canales said.
“We just couldn’t get (Damien’s) strength back to a point where we felt safe about playing and putting him out there and You know,the,the beautiful timingof Austin Corbett coming backand you knowI gotto watchthe film,but you know,firs1st impressionisthat Austindid agreatjobjustcontinuingto allowus top lay our styleof offense.”
As they prepare for their upcoming match against Buffalo Bills—whose defense features Ed Oliver Joey Bosa,and former Panther Shaq Thompson—the Panthers will reassess Lewis’ readiness later this week.
“We’ll have him in there doing some rehab,” said Canales,”andthe hopeistogethimbackoutthere.”
