After a rough outing in Orchard Park, the Carolina Panthers’ starters are set to get another shot this week, and this time head coach Dave Canales says they’ll be on the field for plenty of it.
Canales said Monday that the first unit will take part in Wednesday’s joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and then play in Friday’s preseason game at EverBank Stadium.
“The joint practice-they're gonna get a good load,” Canales replied. “We've been working with Coach [Liam] Coen, Shane Waldron-one of my friends from Seattle-we've been going back and forth, just making sure we throw a great practice and hit some different situations.
“And then, the plan is to play 'em all in the game, too. And then, of course, it just depends on how we come out of today, how we come out of tomorrow, to see where guys are at.”
That means Carolina’s starters will have a chance to bounce back after Saturday’s 29-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, a game that was defined by an offense that never got rolling. The Panthers’ first three possessions ended in three straight three-and-outs, a flat showing that left plenty to clean up.
After that game, Canales said the group hadn’t done enough to earn a fourth drive. On Monday, he expanded on what he’d seen behind the scenes.
“I wish people could see what's happening in practice. We're beating the crap out of each other,” he stated. “Last week, we practiced four out of five days, really physical practices and one of the first times I've had to step in front of the room and say, 'Hey, we need to bring these things back a little bit in some situations because of the tempo and the way we're playing.'
“In the game, the plan was to get more than three series. The plan was to get 'em out of the game in the first quarter.
I would've liked it to look different. I would've liked for the guys to extend drives, get some points.”
The Panthers and Jaguars will kick off Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Jacksonville.
In Other News...
Panthers Depth Chart Just Raised New Questions About Key Roster Battles
The Panthers unofficial preseason depth chart offered a few hints about how the staff is sorting out the bottom of the roster as camp moves along. Wide receiver depth remains tied not just to receiving production but to special teams value, and the guard picture has been muddied by injuries, leaving several backups waiting for a chance to climb despite some encouraging showings.
At tight end, Darren Waller is still at the bottom of the chart for now because he has not yet played or practiced, which leaves his spot more about timing than evaluation at this stage. Elsewhere, Princely Umanmielen has turned in a solid run in a starting role, but he has not yet pushed past the current starter opposite Jaelan Phillips, a reminder that early preseason momentum does not always translate directly into a move up the board. [Read more 🡒]
ESPN Just Framed The Panthers Problem Fans Keep Debating
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Panthers Send A Clear Bryce Young Message In New Mock Draft
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For a team that has spent plenty of time under the microscope at the games most important position, the bigger takeaway is what the mock leaves out. Even with a deep class of quarterbacks available later in the round, Carolina does not come off this projection looking like a club in a hurry to replace Young or force the issue early. Instead, the message is one of patience and roster construction, with the Panthers betting their next major swing should come on the edge rather than under center. [Read more 🡒]