Panthers training camp breakdown: Bryce Young has light workload but will play in preseason
The Panthers donned pads for a second consecutive practice on Sunday, as the offense mostly focused on the running game in team drills.
While that focus created a lighter workload for quarterback Bryce Young, the rookie quarterback was able to preserve energy for his preseason debut in six days. According to Panthers head coach Frank Reich, Young will play in the exhibition opener against the New York Jets next weekend.
The preseason matchup will follow a pair of joint practices at Wofford College against Aaron Rodgers and the AFC East squad.
TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE RECAPS: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8
Young’s light workload ahead of big week
With the Panthers focused heavily on the ground game, Young had a pretty uneventful morning. Still, the defense’s summer surge continued to get the best of the offense, as Young completed just two of his five passing attempts in 11-on-11 work.
His highlight of the day came on an out route throw to wideout Shi Smith, who caught the ball as the loud speakers played Notorious B.I.G.’s famous hit “Hypnotize.” It was Young’s first completion, in three tries, and Smith made a nice grab for the catch. Young followed up the first completion by connecting with DJ Chark for his second and final completed pass of the day.
The defense continued to pound on the offense with regular pressure throughout team drills. Young took at least three would-be sacks during the 11-on-11 sessions.
Young also had some miscues in 7-on-7. He seemingly had a miscommunication with a receiver as he threw a ball with no one in the area of a target that went straight to cornerback CJ Henderson for an interception. While Young has avoided making the same mistake twice, this was the second time in camp that the rookie had a ball go straight to Henderson down the seam for a pick.
Following practice, Reich said that Young will receive playing time in the preseason against the Jets.
Pads pop in running game
The Panthers held their first “live” series of the summer to end practice but it was short-lived. According to Reich, the period was not planned but added at the end of the workout after he was talked into it and the defense won.
Running back Chuba Hubbard was tackled to the ground on the first rep for a minimal gain. Then, Young had a play-action pass that sailed out of bounds. Fill-in right guard Cade Mays then had a false start that killed a play and forced him to the sideline. The final play of the day was essentially a would-be sack by pass rusher Brian Burns, who got free after defensive tackle Derrick Brown somewhat collapsed the pocket.
The defense has looked sharp throughout the summer, but this week was consistently strong. Throughout Sunday’s practice, the defense did a very good jump of swarming to the ball and limiting ball-carriers.
Reich said the offense was solid during the workout, but again, acknowledged the defense put together two very strong days in a row in pads.
Injury updates: Sanders returns, Byrd sits out with injury
Running back Miles Sanders returned to practice on Sunday after sustaining a minor injury during individual drills on Saturday. While he didn’t take part in the “live” team drills, he did catch a pass in 7-on-7 work.
Wideout Damiere Byrd, who has been very strong during camp, sat out of practice with a hamstring injury, the team confirmed. Byrd has been making big plays on a daily basis, and he is competing to force the Panthers to keep six wideouts. A long-term hamstring injury could derail that opportunity.
Pass rusher Jordan Thomas (undisclosed) was also sidelined for the practice. Edge rusher Marquis Haynes (back) worked with a trainer on an adjacent field as did right guard Austin Corbett (ACL) and defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (undisclosed) with the latter two on the physically unable to perform list.
Panthers host Levine Children’s Hospital guest
For a second consecutive practice, the Panthers hosted a guest from Levine’s Children’s Hospital.
Jacob Brindle, 17, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Brindle, who attended practice with a couple of friends, got to break down the huddle after practice and meet with the offensive linemen.
“It’s really special just to be here and be around the offensive line as an offensive lineman,” Brindle said. “Just being around that environment and that energy they have — like at the end, they went back for more (reps) — and that hyped me up so much. And for them to just come together and give me support — acknowledge me — it just felt like such a blessing to have that community — it felt like a family to me. That was the energy that I got from them.”
Brindle, who plays right guard at Stuart W. Cramer High in Belmont, offered words of encouragement to the Panthers’ offensive line. The linemen then returned the favor by offering their support as a unit for Brindle.
“He said ‘Fight like heck,’ ‘Go be dominant,’ all the things that linemen say,” Panthers offensive line coach James Campen said. “If you’re a lineman, it doesn’t matter what level of football — you’re an O-line — there’s a code of ethics there that we go by, and certainly his school does, and this young man does. If we can just encourage him and do anything can for him and his family, we’re going to do it. He’s a neat kid.”
Following practice, Brindle spent time chatting with Young, Andy Dalton, Sam Franklin and Derrick Brown. Brindle, who was wearing a Brian Burns No. 0 jersey, also got to meet the Pro Bowl pass rusher, who gave Brindle his practice gloves as a souvenir.
Quick hits
▪ UPDATE: Following practice, the Panthers agreed to terms on a contract with veteran pass rusher Justin Houston. The former Pro Bowl pass rusher spent the past two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Houston, 34, produced 9.5 sacks last season. He has 111.5 career sacks.
▪ The Panthers had a trio of veteran days off scheduled for Sunday. Tight end Hayden Hurst, wideout Adam Thielen and linebacker Shaq Thompson were all on the field but served as fill-in instructors during the workout. Like safety Vonn Bell on Saturday, Thielen, Hurst and Thompson watched drills and gave feedback to their groups. So far this summer, the Panthers have given “off” days to Bell, Thielen, Hurst, Thompson and right tackle Taylor Moton.
▪ For a third consecutive day, tight end Tommy Tremble and running back Chuba Hubbard spent 20 or so minutes on the JUGS machines after practice. Neither had a drop on Sunday.
▪ Third-string quarterback Matt Corral received a bit of an uptick in team workload on Sunday. His highlight play was a laser in between defenders to Terrace Marshall in 7-on-7 work. Corral has had a solid camp thus far.
▪ Wideout Gary Jennings, who has put together a quality performance in camp, had two rough drops during team drills. He’s likely on the outside looking in at the wideout position.
▪ Panthers undrafted rookie guard Nash Jensen has a nasty streak to him. During one 11-on-11 drill, Jensen basically blocked defensive lineman Antwuan Jackson to the ground in one shift move.
▪ The USFL’s Birmingham Stallions had a representative at practice, likely scouting potential roster casualties.
More training camp reading at charlotteobserver.com:
▪ He’s a huge Carolina Panthers fan and podcaster. He’s also an inspiration
▪ How Panthers lineman went from loading Amazon trucks to signing with hometown team
▪ Panthers’ Chuba Hubbard readies for familiar role. ‘Wherever they need me, I’m there’
▪ Panthers’ CJ Henderson discusses Carolina’s decision to pass on his fifth-year option
▪ Exclusive: Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian on pros, cons of rookie Panthers QB Bryce Young
This story was originally published August 6, 2023 at 2:54 PM.
