Panthers practice observations: Rookie to have surgery, Bridgewater was accurate and more
For a minute, the sound of fans echoing throughout Bank of America Stadium on Saturday sounded real.
There were faint cheers, some screams and it sounded like people were talking.
But in reality, it was ambient noise, designed to simulate what a crowd would sound like during a regular game, on an otherwise normal day. These times are not normal, however. Because of COVID-19, it’ll be up to state and local officials to determine whether fans will be allowed to attend the Panthers’ season-opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 13.
And if fans can’t attend, then the ambient noise is what the Panthers will use during home games.
“We did everything just like a game,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Saturday of the ambient noise. “I think the ability to create your own energy this year is going to be a major factor.”
Here are some other observations from Saturday’s practice:
Moves
Before Saturday’s practice, the Panthers announced they signed veteran Julian Stanford. The linebacker, who practiced Saturday after clearing the COVID-19 protocol, has appeared in 88 games throughout his nine-year career. As a corresponding move, the Panthers released linebacker David Reese.
Injuries
▪ Omar Bayless missed his fourth consecutive practice with a knee injury. Bayless will have an arthroscopic knee procedure performed. Rhule, who said Friday that he hoped Bayless would return by Monday, said Saturday that Bayless could be out “either a couple of weeks or a couple of months.” Bayless had been impressive in the first few days of camp.
▪ Panthers wide receiver Seth Roberts missed Saturday’s practice because he was in concussion protocol, Rhule said Saturday.
Highlights
▪ Teddy Bridgewater completed 9 of 13 passes for 160 yards and 2 TDs in Saturday’s practice. His two touchdowns were thrown to Christian McCaffrey and Chris Manhertz. Backup Will Grier also had two touchdown passes, and P.J. Walker had one touchdown and an interception.
▪ After struggling in the first few days of practice, rookie punter Joe Charlton, who’d rather go by Joe instead of Joseph, looked good during team drills. Most of his punts were kicked high and traveled more than 40 yards. He landed a few inside the 20.
▪ Wide receiver Ishmael Hyman made some nice catches in Saturday’s practice and was often a reliable target. He had a number of catches that went for 15 yards or more.
Brandon Zylstra also had a good day. Panthers’ coach Matt Rhule said Zylstra has been one of the more impressive players in camp.
▪ Panthers kicker Joey Slye made 3 of 4 field goal attempts Saturday. The one kick he missed was from 58 yards out. It had the distance but was wide left.
▪ Rookie defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos has played well recently. He “sacked” Teddy Bridgwater in Saturday’s practice. (If defenders touch the quarterbacks with two hands then they are considered down). Brian Burns and Kawann Short had sacks as well.
▪ Rookie cornerback Troy Pride had two back-to-back pass deflections in team drills, one while guarding D.J. Moore and the other while guarding Robby Anderson. Bridgewater threw both passes.
Lowlights
There were a lot of penalties on the offense and defense, which negated a few big plays. Zylstra had a touchdown called back after he was called for offensive pass interference. A Myles Hartfield touchdown run was called back because a lineman was holding.
Burns was called for an offsides penalty, negating a sack. And Russell Okung was called for a false start. There was also a defensive pass interference penalty called.
It’s early, but penalties can easily lose a game.
Other notes
▪ Hartfield is listed as a defensive back, but the Panthers may have him playing running back. And Saturday, he didn’t look too bad. On one rushing attempt in team drills, he bounced off multiple defenders and ran it in for a 10-yard touchdown.
However, the score was called back because of a holding call.
He also had an interception on defense after P.J. Walker threw a pass that bounced off the back Andre Smith’s helmet and fell into Hartfield’s hands.
▪ Before the end of end of practice, the players and coaches both ran sprints. Most of the coaches had trouble keeping up.
▪ Rhule held a kicking competition for his kickers at the end of practice. Charlton attempted to punt a ball from the field to the upper deck of the stands. The kick did not quite reach it.
Joey Slye attempted a field goal from the right sidelines. Rhule blew the whistle to try to freeze Slye. But Slye nailed the kick and his teammates celebrated around him.
▪ Shaq Thompson, Tahir Whitehead, Christian McCaffrey, Juston Burris, Tre Boston, Kawann Short and Burns were allowed to end practice early and take off their pads. None appeared hurt, though Rhule did say Burns had some “bumps and bruises.”
Sunday’s schedule
The Panthers have Sunday off and will practice Monday.
This story was originally published August 22, 2020 at 2:30 PM.
