Panthers training camp report: 2025 class has nice day as offense rebounds

After a couple of strong outings by the defense, the Carolina Panthers offense put together its strongest performance of training camp’s first week Saturday.

The weekend practice featured highlight plays in the passing game for multiple playmakers as Bryce Young, who turned 24 on Friday, and Andy Dalton flung the ball all over the field. And while Hunter Renfrow continued his highlight-reel hot streak, a trio of rookie playmakers also got in on the act.

Wide receivers Tetairoa McMillan and Jimmy Horn Jr. and running back Trevor Etienne all made splash plays during a competitive practice. McMillan used his size, Horn used his speed, and Etienne used his shiftiness to overcome coverage during the final practice before pads get put on Monday.

2025 draft class has a nice morning

Horn, the team’s sixth-round pick, got off to an excellent start during individual drills. During multiple reps, Horn got open in a hurry with the combination of route running and electric speed. The former Colorado wideout was winning battles by a solid four or five feet against most defenders. On one particular rep against undrafted rookie safety Trevian Thomas, Horn broke free immediately on an out route, caught the ball and then jogged to the end zone before jokingly tumbling into the end zone.

“I think he’s got great speed, but he’s even a better route runner,” tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders said of Horn. “The way he can get his body to torque and get in and out of breaks, it’s nothing you can prepare for. Especially when it’s game time and everyone is moving full speed. It’s nothing you can prepare for. You just gotta do your best to try to guard him.”

Etienne made a spectacle of a passing game rep during team drills. He beat a pair of defensive backs to the end zone and caught a beautifully lofted strike from Dalton in pay dirt. He made an over-the-shoulder catch like he was a career wideout.

A reminder: Etienne is a running back. The fourth-round pick, though, is known for his impressive hands.

McMillan, who also has dependable mitts, caught a couple of quick passes on out routes. His ability to pluck the ball out of the air is uncanny. While he’s not dominating practice, he’s catching passes regularly and looks the part.

On the opposite side of the ball, fourth-round pick, safety Lathan Ransom, made a nice play on a catch from new tight end Tyler Mabry. The tight end caught the ball in front of the end zone, and while there was no live contact, Ransom made a play to seemingly stop him from getting to the promised land.

Undrafted wideout Jacolby George made a really impressive snag on a laser throw from Dalton. George was heavily covered by cornerback Akayleb Evans, but the wideout still was able grab the ball despite the physicality. He’s shown dependable and strong hands so far during camp.

Bryce Young starting to find a summer rhythm

While Young wasn’t lighting up the practice field on Saturday, he did protect the ball and placed it well to his receivers.

One of the highlights of the morning was a perfectly positioned lofted throw from Young to wideout Xavier Legette, who caught the pass in stride and picked up a huge chunk of yardage after the catch.

Young later connected with Sanders, the second-year tight end, along with McMillan and David Moore on the final team reps of the day. Young also had an earlier touchdown throw to Sanders in the end zone during red zone drills.

It was the offense’s best day of camp, no doubt. But did the unit “win” the day?

“We had one red zone period on the far end of the field where defense pretty much dominated the period,” head coach Dave Canales said. “But then we go to the next period, and the offense scored I think three or four touchdowns in that one; I think it was 15 to 3, the way we kind of rank it. So, it was a pretty bad blowout on that end, pretty bad blowout on this end.

“So, I just regrouped them and said, ‘These things are going to happen. … Emotions don’t get it done.’ So, I was trying to explain to the guys that there are going to be heated and passionate conversations in a game. But the only thing that’s going to get us refocused is for us to be grounded, to go back to the basics and find solutions.”

This could be a microcosm of Young’s camp to date. The third-year quarterback had a pick in each of the first practices, but after his birthday, the QB looked more comfortable and selective with his throws. If a passing play wasn’t there, he took off and ran.

He’s got chemistry with his wideouts and that’s a good sign for the rest of the summer.

Derrick Brown returns to action

Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown missed the first two practices of camp due to the birth of his fourth child this week. His third daughter arrived as a training camp baby, and Canales and GM Dan Morgan excused him from workouts until the arrival.

Brown was able to spend quality time with the newborn before returning to action. After taking it easy in team drills during the offseason program, Brown immediately entered the fray on Saturday.

“I’ve been here every single day this offseason,” Brown said. “So, I worked out all the way up until Monday, went up to the hospital, had those few days off to be there for that moment. And now it’s back to ball. Everybody in my house is excited to see me come back. And I’m excited to come back, come out here and put my best step forward.”

Brown missed all but one game last season due to a meniscus surgery. The Panthers are hoping he can return to the same Pro Bowl form he had in 2023.

Quick hits

• The Panthers’ new arrivals, cornerback Mello Dotson (No. 28) and outside linebacker JJ Weaver (No. 47), made their practice debuts during the workout.

• Tight end Tommy Tremble (PUP/back) worked out with a trainer before, during and after practice. Defensive tackle Bobby Brown (NFI/hamstring) watched the workout as well. Punter Sam Martin (NFI/hamstring) and wideout Dan Chisena (PUP/calf) still remain out and on their respective injury lists.

• Kicker Matthew Wright was 3 of 5 on skinny field goal attempts. He and rookie Ryan Fitzgerald were 4 of 5 in the previous two days. A kicker has missed his second attempt in all three practices. Wright missed on his fourth as well in this workout.

• Tight end Dominique Dafney picked up a huge chunk of yards in 11-on-11 work off a short toss to the flat from Dalton. Dafney had free room to run because of the design of the play. It was a nice little wrinkle from Canales.

• Renfrow continues to be the most active player on either side of the ball. He’s catching passes from Young and Dalton and making it look easy. His ability to get separation as a route runner is Adam Thielen-like, and his understated speed has been a pleasant surprise for a guy that missed all of last year due to illness.

• Running back Chuba Hubbard was the first player on the field on Saturday. He arrived 30 minutes before practice and left the field roughly 30 minutes after everyone else.

• The Panthers took multiple breaks during the practice due to the heat. At one point, a good portion of the roster made its way into the cooling trailer the team installed last offseason.

• Sanders, last year’s fourth-round pick, said he weighed around 255 pounds as a rookie last season. He said he is now down to 238 pounds and feels healthier and faster. He has hired a private chef and is eating better. Sanders also said he’s trying to help mentor his young teammates on offense.