South Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE — As Panthers head coach Dave Canales builds an offense around quarterback Bryce Young, he expects certain outcomes and looks for growth in specific areas. One aspect he does not mind is the occasional interception.

Young was intercepted by safety Xavier Woods on a deep ball during Sunday morning's practice. However, this should not overshadow his other accomplishments, such as moving out of the pocket and finding Diontae Johnson on the fly.

Canales emphasized that "resilience" is key, viewing Young's attempt at a deep throw positively. "We've got to challenge our throws, we got to challenge ourselves and the receivers as well for those opportunities," Canales said. He added that taking risks downfield is essential for honing their skills.

After practice, Young stayed on the field with some receivers to discuss plays and ensure alignment. Veteran wideout Adam Thielen noted Young's increased comfort this year. "I think it's him just feeling really comfortable and trusting in it," Thielen said, attributing this to familiarity with the system and improved footwork.

Thielen observed definite progress in Young’s timing and release speed under Canales' guidance. "It just feels like it's on time this year," Thielen remarked.

Sunday's practice featured full pads and live move-the-ball drills simulating game situations. The high-tempo session aimed to prepare for upcoming work against the Jets. "We got after it today," Canales said, praising the team's response to challenges.

Kicker Eddy Piñeiro expressed eagerness for this week's game after missing kicking opportunities last week due to alternating halves with Harrison Mevis. Piñeiro is particularly interested in experimenting with new return rules during kickoffs.

Veteran Adam Thielen discussed his reduced need for preseason playtime but acknowledged the importance of physical practices like Sunday's for readiness. He highlighted a clear plan from coaches to simulate real football situations progressively.

The Panthers have faced criticism for not playing starters last week; however, many teams also chose to rest their starting quarterbacks during initial preseason games.

Canales indicated that injured players such as Tommy Tremble and Andy Dalton are unlikely to practice against the Jets this week. Backup tackle Yosh Nijman faces a longer recovery period following leg surgery.

Quarterback Jack Plummer connected with veteran David Moore for a deep touchdown two days in a row, while defensive tackle Derrick Brown demonstrated his skill by batting down a pass from Young during live periods.

Chandler Zavala continued working with the first team due to Damien Lewis’s absence for personal reasons. New lineman Jack Anderson participated in his first practice since signing, taking reps at both center and guard.

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