McMillan, Legette pace Panthers’ offense with big plays vs. Texans in practice
Xavier Legette surged off the line.
The second-year wideout pushed up the field with force as Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith tried to stay attached to his left hip. And as Legette made his way down the right sideline, he used a nifty double move to break free — even if just for a step or two — for a ball that was flung perfectly with anticipation by Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.
With a window of separation, Legette left his feet and snatched the ball out of the air with both hands before tumbling to the ground in the end zone for a touchdown in 11-on-11 drills. During a hot Thursday in Houston, Legette got the big-play party started against the Texans.
It was a sign of things to come during a back-and-forth, competitive joint workout ahead of the preseason game Saturday at NRG Stadium.
Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan test Houston Texans’ secondary
Young had a handful of highlights in the passing game against Houston. And in turn, the Texans’ defense also created some lowlights for the Panthers QB.
Young hit first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan on a crossing route in 11-on-11 drills, and the wideout was able to take the ball to pay dirt for a score after beating Pro Bowl cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. in the middle of the field. While McMillan isn’t known for his speed, the former Arizona Wildcat has broken free of coverage at times throughout the summer and turned on the jets. Stingley, one of the best corners in the league, was a good test for McMillan, and on that play he came out on top.
Young also had an excellent throw to tight end James Mitchell up the seam. The Texans’ defense was pushing the offensive line back, but center Austin Corbett was able to anchor against a defensive lineman, which allowed Young to step up in the pocket and throw off-platform to Mitchell for a big gain.
“He did a great job today,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said about Young’s performance.
The third-year QB also hit big wideout Brycen Tremayne for a massive gain on a deep ball against second-year Texans cornerback Kamari Lassiter. Tremayne has become a dark horse in the wideout competition because of his reliable hands and understated route running ability, and Young took advantage of both attributes on the deep toss.
Houston’s defense, one of the best in the league, also got the better of Young and the Carolina offense in team drills. Pro Bowl pass rusher Danielle Hunter produced an early “sack,” but the play wasn’t whistled dead.
Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, who played with Young at Alabama, picked off the Panthers QB, who tried to rush a pass up the seam. Safety MJ Stewart broke up a pass from Young to tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders in the end zone. And Stingley also picked off Young in the end zone during a red zone period.
“We got really sloppy,” Canales said. “We had about five pre-snap penalties in one drive. We’re looking at some first-and-15s, a couple of sacks. I thought it got sloppy in the middle — responded at the end with two great two-minute finishes for touchdowns at the end of the practice … which was phenomenal. And I just keep convincing our guys that that’s who we are. We finish.”
Young and the offense finished on a positive note, as Canales mentioned, with the QB connecting with Sanders in the end zone during a hurry-up period of 11-on-11 drills.
Young completed the short pass to Sanders with five seconds left on the simulated play clock.
“In two-minute (drills), we have a great menu, a great list of stuff that is complex on the outside, but for us, we have a lot of reps in it,” Young said. “And that’s a credit to the coaching staff and to all the guys buying into that process.”
Patrick Jones loses track of sacks vs. Texans offense
Patrick Jones, a free-agent addition, has had a strong summer as a playmaker. He picked off Young during the second workout of training camp, and he has surged as a pass rusher ever since.
Against Houston’s offense, Jones produced at least two sacks. When The Observer asked him for a total tally, Jones admitted he wasn’t sure if there were more or less on his count.
“I don’t even know, man,” Jones said with a smile. “I was just out there just playing.”
Despite Jones’ pass-rushing prowess, Texans QB CJ Stroud still led Houston’s offense to success during the matchup.
According to former Charlotte Observer beat writer Jonathan Alexander, now of the Houston Chronicle, Stroud connected with wideouts Christian Kirk and Nick Collins for touchdowns. Those plays took place on an opposite field to the Carolina offense’s matchup with the Texans’ defense, where The Observer was at the time.
“I’ve followed his journey, as a fan and as a friend, as a brother through everything, and to see where he’s at right now, I’m super proud, it means a lot,” Young said about Stroud. “I’m always rooting for him, that’s my guy, and I’m sure he’d say the same at me. It’s a blessing.”
Backup QB Davis Mills also tossed a touchdown pass to Raleigh native Braxton Berrios during the 11-on-11 period, according to Alexander.
But the Panthers’ defense looked pretty strong against the run. In particular, outside linebacker DJ Wonnum and defensive tackle Shy Tuttle got a stuff on a carry early in team drills. Cornerback Mike Jackson also picked off Stroud in the red zone during team drills.
According to multiple reporters, safety Tre’von Moehrig also laid a huge hit on Texans wideout Xavier Hutchinson during team drills. While tempers flared, a fight did not occur after the play.
“I was just going, playing football,” Moehrig said with a huge smile. “That’s really what it comes down to. Just trying to be physical and make the plays when they come my way.”
Taking attendance: Trevin Wallace, Jalen Coker miss joint practice
Panthers inside linebacker Trevin Wallace (personal) did not fly with the team to Houston on Wednesday. He missed the joint workout Thursday but arrived in Houston later in the day. His absence was excused, and he is expected to play against the Texans on Saturday in their preseason matchup.
Wide receiver Jalen Coker (illness) stayed at the team hotel instead of attending the joint practice. Canales said Coker had a fever and was receiving antibiotics with the hope of playing in the preseason game this weekend.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn (hand), guard Chandler Zavala (knee), linebacker Claudin Cherelus (groin) and rookie nose tackle Cam Jackson (undisclosed) worked on another field with a trainer. Tommy Tremble, who remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, was also seen working with a trainer throughout practice.
Canales said after practice that he doesn’t expect Horn, who was in a car accident last week, to play against the Texans in the exhibition game.
Quick hits
- During practice, second-round pick, outside linebacker Nic Scourton, took a cart ride into the facility. He sat in the front passenger seat and didn’t seem to be in pain. Following practice, Canales noted that Scourton was overheated, even after going inside the Texans’ cooling trailer. Canales said he hoped that Scourton would be able to play in the preseason matchup this weekend.
- Evans, a fifth-round pick, made his best catch of the summer during 11-on-11 work. Young threw behind him on a crossing route, and the rookie tight end was still able to not only make the catch, but also stay in stride for a few extra yards. Evans needed a play like that after he fumbled away a catch earlier in the competitive session.
- Following practice, several former teammates and longtime friends from both teams met on the main field. Former Cleveland Browns draft picks, Corbett and Texans running back Nick Chubb, greeted each other in the middle of the field. Four former Notre Dame standouts, Evans and Tremble for the Panthers and Texans offensive linemen Blake Fisher and Jarrett Patterson, met up for a brief huddle.
- Unsurprisingly, running back Chuba Hubbard was the first player on the practice field for the Panthers. Hubbard had a nice run off of a one-cut move to his right during team drills. The run picked up at least 10 yards.
This story was originally published August 14, 2025 at 3:35 PM.
