Carolina Panthers training camp notebook: Rookie DB emerges with big plays on defense
Carolina Panthers training camp is winding down. And the opportunities for young players to prove themselves are evaporating by the day.
That’s why Monday’s practice served as a potential springboard for a rookie defender hoping to will his way onto the 53-man roster in a couple of weeks.
Demani Richardson, an undrafted rookie safety out of Texas A&M, made the most of his reps during the team’s lone competitive session of 11-on-11 reps.
Richardson, who is competing to earn a spot within a crowded safety depth chart, produced a pair of major highlight plays that drew loud cheers from the defensive sideline. Veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson (more on him later) was among the loudest in the celebration, as Richardson made his presence known in the secondary.
Panthers undrafted rookie makes two biggest plays of the day
During the first rep of 11-on-11 drills, second-year quarterback Bryce Young targeted the middle of the field. However, his pass went directly into the hands of Richardson, who was playing with the first-team defense with Xavier Woods watching from sideline.
The defensive sideline erupted with applause as the rookie secured the ball and sprinted down the opposite end of the field.
Later on in the session, rookie QB Jack Plummer, a fellow undrafted addition, targeted wideout Ihmir Smith-Marsette on a “go” route in the end zone. Unfortunately for the offensive pair, Richardson was able to get his hands on the ball before it reached its intended target.
Again, the defensive sideline erupted with cheers, but there was still a question of whether or not Richardson secured his second interception of the day.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, following practice, made it clear what he thought the end result was for the defense.
“They’re all picks,” Evero said with a smile. “If it’s questionable, it’s a pick.”
Following Richardson’s second of two big plays, the offense and the defense split up to their respective sides. The defense celebrated on the group’s sideline, while the offense huddled up after the one-sided stretch of reps.
Both sides then took off their pads and worked install reps for the rest of the planned short workout.
Following practice, Evero was asked why the padded session of the workout was so brief. The coordinator said that was what the head coach wanted to do after a stretch of three consecutive workouts.
Panthers DC says veteran defender is third starting safety
Evero’s system is considered to be secondary friendly. It also helps that he has filled the safety depth chart with a trio of familiar faces.
Former Los Angeles Rams defensive backs Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott have joined Woods, who worked with Evero last year, on the depth chart. Woods and Fuller are expected to be the two main starters at safety, but Evero believes Scott, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals last year, is effectively the third starter at the position.
“Nick Scott is an NFL starting-caliber safety,” Evero said. “But all three of those guys are really sharp. They understand our system, they understand how we want to play the deep part of the field.
“They’re great communicators, so the entire defense as a whole feels really calm when those guys are on the field because they put everybody at peace with their level of communication, and so it’s been really, really good, and we’re excited about what we’re going to do this year.”
Along with that trio, the Panthers also have Alex Cook as a depth piece. Cook was one of the biggest standouts from Thursday’s preseason opener against the New England Patriots. So, even with special teams ace Sam Franklin (foot) sidelined, the group is stacked at least four deep.
If Richardson can continue to emerge in practice and the preseason, he could force his way onto the roster at the expense of last year’s fifth-round pick, Jammie Robinson, or one of the many young corners on the roster, like Dicaprio Bootle, Lamar Jackson or D’Shawn Jamison.
Three notable names return to drills
Thompson (hamstring), wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot), and tight end Tommy Tremble (hamstring) have been sidelined since the early days of training camp. After sitting out of the majority of the team’s practice sessions, the trio took part in individual drills on Monday.
Thompson and Tremble also took part in the team’s install periods without pads. While there is still a question of whether or not Thompson, Tremble and Legette will take part in Thursday’s joint practice with the New York Jets, their presence was important to see on Monday.
But while those two contributors returned to the field, Woods, wide receiver Diontae Johnson, and pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and K’Lavon Chaisson watched from the sideline. It’s unclear whether or not their respective spectator statuses were due to injury or just veteran days off.
Regarding the team’s known injured players, Franklin, tight end Ian Thomas (calf), defensive lineman LaBryan Ray (hand), center Cade Mays (shoulder), offensive tackle Badara Traore (knee), and quarterback Andy Dalton (quad) didn’t take part in team drills.
Offensive tackle Yosh Nijman (leg) and outside linebackers D.J. Wonnum (quad) and Amare Barno (ACL) remain on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Running back Jonathon Brooks (ACL) remains on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list.
Quick hits
▪ Richardson wasn’t the only young standout on defense. Outside linebacker Luiji Vilain produced a would-be sack on Plummer during the padded 11-on-11 session. Vilain, along with Eku Leota and D.J. Johnson, earned praise from Evero after practice.
▪ Veteran wideout-turned-tight end Jordan Matthews complimented cornerback Jaycee Horn after practice. Matthews, who has been in the league since 2013, compared Horn to Miami Dolphins All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey, due to his size and versatility.
▪ Two things the Panthers can always count on during training camp: The specialists and the special teams coaches meeting in the cooling trailer after punt and field goal drills, and Tremble and running back Chuba Hubbard working out on the JUGs machine for 30 to 40 minutes after practice. Those traditions are about as consistent as Outback Steakhouse’s free bread.
▪ Second-year guard Chandler Zavala has been a regular stand-in with the first-team offensive line with veteran starter Damien Lewis out of action due to a personal matter. Zavala has lined up at left guard pretty regularly in Lewis’ absence, even in the first few weeks of camp when Lewis was dealing with a shoulder injury. Zavala played well at left guard against the Patriots on Thursday and has looked the part in practice. The Jets joint workouts will be a strong test for the N.C. State alum.
▪ Follow Observer reporters Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) and Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05), and columnist Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler), on X, formerly known as Twitter, for the Panthers’ latest news and highlights.
An earlier version of the story reported that Legette didn’t participate in practice. He did take part in some individual work with his teammates. The story has been updated.
This story was originally published August 12, 2024 at 2:18 PM.
