The Panthers’ move for Darren Waller is the kind of roster swing that instantly changes the conversation in a tight end room.
Dave Canales made it clear the team sees the veteran as more than just a name. Carolina is bringing Waller in to push the group and see what shakes out, and the coach said the process included plenty of back-and-forth before the sides landed on an agreement.
“Just looking for ways to challenge our roster, challenge our rooms,” Canales said via USA Today’s Anthony Rizzuti. “Bringing different types of talent into the rooms to really challenge the group and see what we have there.
We felt like it was a good fit. There was a lot of conversations back and forth - about the vision, about the group that he’s coming into.
So felt comfortable about that, found an agreement and we’ll bring him in and do the physical and all that stuff.”
Waller’s resume makes the addition notable. He played only nine games last season after being retired and out of football in 2024, but still found the end zone six times, including once against Carolina. The Panthers are planning to wait until after their preseason game on Saturday to process the deal so they have enough bodies to get through the game, according to Mike Kaye.
In New Orleans, a different kind of attention hit the practice field when first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson left Thursday’s session early with a hamstring injury, per Mike Triplett.
The Saints also had a lighter moment come through Chris Olave, who laughed about sixth-round receiver Barion Brown using the same handshake Olave had with former teammate Rashid Shaheed without realizing it. Olave’s comparison was simple and pretty telling: “They’re basically the same player,” Olave said, “He reminds me a lot of (Shaheed).”
Saints coach Kellen Moore said the club is still sorting through the full picture on Terrion Arnold after a visit, stressing that the team is gathering information and weighing more than just football traits.
“collecting as much information as we can,” Moore said, while adding that they had a great visit with Arnold: “Obviously there’s an outside of football part of this that has to be added to this, but I felt like we had a good visit.”
In Atlanta, Michael Penix Jr. is staying on a controlled path as the Falcons head to Indy next week for joint practices. Kevin Stefanski said Penix will continue at the pace he’s already on, taking part in individual drills but not team work.
Penix, who is coming back from a surgically repaired knee, said the doctor gave him a reassuring message before training camp.
“ You have an amazing ACL. You shouldn’t have knee problems again. ”
For Penix, the next hurdle isn’t just physical. He said the mental side matters too, but strength remains the focus right now.
“ The biggest thing for me right now is strength, getting strength back in my knee. ”
Stefanski also had positive words for seventh-round offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa, saying the team likes the way he has progressed.
“ We are pleased with his progress, and will keep bringing him along.”
Over in Tampa, Buccaneers receiver Emeka Egbuka was pulled from practice because of a toe issue, though Mike Garafolo reported the injury is considered minor.
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For a team looking ahead to the 2026 season, this is the kind of addition that can matter in more ways than one. The Panthers have spent plenty of time trying to give Young a steadier set of options, and Waller brings a track record that should make him an immediate focal point in that effort. The real question now is how quickly Carolina can turn this into a more productive and more flexible attack. [Read more 🡒]