Here are the top observations and takeaways for the Carolina Panthers from Saturday, a practice session headlined by defensive dominance:
Chandler Zavala returns
The rookie guard, who figures to factor into the team’s right guard competition, returned to on-field action. He was previously shelved on the active/physically unable to perform list due to a hamstring tweak.
Austin Corbett is still ahead of schedule
That aforementioned right guard competition is only a competition due to the absence of Corbett, who tore his ACL in the 2022 regular-season finale. Head coach Frank Reich, however, told reporters that the 27-year-old hog molly is progressing well:
“Still optimistic. He’s still ahead of schedule. ‘Ahead of schedule.’ But we’re not rushing that, right? We’re not anticipating him being ready for Week 1, right? So, we’ll just be patient. He’s doin’ great. If you watched him move around, you’d say he looks like he could play Week 1.
“But that kind of injury, you go somewhat by the progress that they’re making—and then, to that injury, it just takes what it takes in terms of time. Years of history on that injury tell you, ‘Don’t rush.’ Even when they’re ahead of schedule, it’s better to be cautious and don’t get him in there too soon.”
Miles Sanders suffers a small setback
The team’s new bell cow back was held out of team drills due to an undisclosed injury. But Reich doesn’t believe it’ll be much of an issue.
“Sanders did individual and had a little tweak of something. And then so we just talked about him, we said, ‘Let’s just take him out of team.’ I think he’s fine, but let’s just be precautionary.”
Defense rules the day
Between a handful of pre-snap penalties by the offensive line and a myriad of drops from the wide receivers, the offense struggled on the morning. Plus, a dominant outing from the defense didn’t help their case.
Reich said the following about the performance:
“Too many pre-snap penalties today. I thought we started out decent on offense, but then the defense really had a good day today. So, just gotta keep cleaning things up. It was a good day today. I was excited about today. I thought our intensity was really good. We just can’t fall into a lapse on offense. We’ve been having some good days, but today was not our best day offensively.”
Quarterback Bryce Young had a similar sentiment:
“Yeah, a lot of stuff to clean up on tape. Defense definitely won the day today. And there’s a lot of things that I gotta do better. Us, as a unit, we have to do better. I have to do better individually, all of us. We take responsibility, we take accountability for that stuff.
“Obviously, a lot of stuff on tape today that we gotta go back and correct. But we have to put in perspective that there’s always gonna be negatives, there’s always gonna be positives in camp. Back and forth, we’re going up against a great defense every single day.”
Notable observations
Rookie guard Chandler Zavala has been activated from the active/PUP list and will practice today.
The fourth-rounder adds to the competition along the offensive line.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 5, 2023
Rookie cornerback Rejzohn Wright is in pads and has a helmet after missing four practices with an undisclosed injury. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 5, 2023
Looks like safety Vonn Bell is getting the day off as he’s not in pads but still stretching with non-injured players. Jalen Redmond (PUP) and Marquis Haynes (back) are on the adjacent field. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 5, 2023
Largest crowd I’ve seen at Panthers training camp in YEARS and there’s still a super long line to get in. pic.twitter.com/GlQhNokG3k
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2023
Panthers wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson is padded up and delivering hits during wide receiver drills. pic.twitter.com/jKA3jo2A2U
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2023
Jonathan Mingo from Bryce Young. pic.twitter.com/dRDfKhCwoW
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 5, 2023
👀 Tremble making ankles weak in 1v1s. pic.twitter.com/8PSOM9DygD
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2023
Three false start penalties during a team run period (Mays, Ekwonu, Jordan).
James Campen’s meeting room is not going to be a pleasant place later.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 5, 2023
Defense putting the clamps on during the first 7v7 red zone drill for Bryce who goes 2-6 during the period.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2023
Vets are walking that walk in 7-on-7. Andy Dalton with a great throw to Damiere Byrd, well caught too.
— Augusta Stone (@augustalstone) August 5, 2023
2nd red zone 7v7:
Bryce 2-4, including TD to Hubbard.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2023
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🙌@_bryce_young x @athielen19 pic.twitter.com/27HlAYI4ga— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 5, 2023
Andy Dalton throws it right to Josh Thomas for the interception. pic.twitter.com/LHKepcw1jW
— Panthers On Tap (@PanthersOnTap) August 5, 2023
Beautiful play-action pass in the red zone by Bryce Young. Jonathan Mingo dropped it in the end zone.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 5, 2023
Offense looking a little sloppy today. 3 red zone drops and about 5 pre snap penalties.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 5, 2023
Bryce Young didn’t get any help on that red zone team drill. Two drops in the red zone and an over throw because the receiver didn’t run through the defender. #Panthers
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 5, 2023
Bryce Young is not going to be a runner, but he can buy time in the pocket with his legs, knows how to get out of trouble.
Improvised and found Marshall for a touchdown that way.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) August 5, 2023
Bryce Young finishes 7-for-15 with 3 drops in team drills. #Panthers
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) August 5, 2023
