CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Brady Christensen is proving a valuable, versatile piece of the Carolina Panthers’ offensive line. Cade Mays, meanwhile, is developing into a starting center.
On Wednesday, with Damien Lewis (illness) held out of Wednesday’s practice, Christensen’s utility role grew, in part, to left guard. While Lewis is expected to dress for Sunday’s NFL encounter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium, Christensen likely will be forced to wait to learn where he’ll be needed.
With the rested Panthers (3-7) on a two-game winning streak, coach Dave Canales announced Mays will start at center and work with quarterback Bryce Young for a third consecutive start.
“Yeah, Cade Mays took the snaps with the first group today,” Canales told reporters after Wednesday’s practice. “Brady took snaps as well, and he does some other things, too. But Damien was out today with an illness. He’ll be back tomorrow, hopefully.
“The group, again, when one guy goes down, next guy come up and try to continue to just take the next step forward.”
When Week 1 starter Austin Corbett suffered a triceps tear in Week 5, Christensen stepped in until replacing left tackle Ikem Ekwonu (ankle) during the past two outings. A 2022 sixth-round draft choice by the Panthers, Mays was released at the end of training camp last August and ended up on the New York Giants’ practice squad. Until he was needed in Charlotte and re-signed with the Panthers on Oct. 8.
“We immediately were like, where’s Cade?” Canales said.
At center or swinging out to left tackle or guard, @Panthers’ Brady Christensen (70) continues proving his #NFL versatility … pic.twitter.com/s9xfGfnTFN
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 18, 2024
Rookie Jonathon Brooks Getting Closer To NFL Debut
Taking a handoff from running backs coach Bernie Parmalee, Brooks sprinted toward the assigned marker, planted his left foot and darted upfield. Parmalee wasn’t the only interested onlooker. Standing with his arms folded, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik watched intently the recovering second-round draft pick.
Entering his NFL debut, Brooks (ACL) is listed as RB2 role with Miles Sanders (ankle/foot) sidelined and considered “week-to-week,” Canales said.
The first-year coach is eager to see what Brooks will add to the offense.
“Yeah, I’m just hoping to see (Brooks) play confident, play fast,” Canales said. “I know that that’s gonna take time. But I believe that he’s physically ready to go down that road.”
@Panthers rookie RB Jonathon Brooks is ready to pitch in for the first time as #NFLer vs. visiting @Chiefs on Sunday … pic.twitter.com/rtQpTo3Bdt
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 18, 2024
Panthers’ Injury Report: Starting Trio Sidelined
The Panthers practiced Wednesday without three starters, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (knee), defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson (rest day) and Lewis. The Panthers are coming off a bye week, but Canales wanted to give the veterans extra time to recover. The trio should start against the Chiefs (9-1).
“All guys that kind of had things coming out of the last game, so just taking advantage of one more day to kind of get them ready,” Canales explained. “They should be all practicing tomorrow.”
Outside linebacker Amare Barno (knee) returned to practice Monday.
“Everybody was excited to see him back out there and the long journey he’s been on to get himself back (and) to help us out,” Canales said. “So, another guy to just kind of look at and evaluate as we go forward.”
@Panthers #NFL black helmet week vs @Chiefs … pic.twitter.com/mPGFYUyzSf
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 20, 2024
