2026 Carolina Panthers training camp: Latest intel, updates

The 2026 NFL training camps have kicked off around the league, and our team reporters are on the ground each day following all the action. Panthers writer Mike Kaye will have the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and of course the quarterback room.

What follows is everything we are seeing and hearing at Panthers camp. Will QB Bryce Young and the Panthers take another step forward after making the playoffs in 2025?Who are the breakout players to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?

Catch up on all the updates, concluding with the Panthers' top camp performer and biggest lingering question.

Camp updates for all 32 NFL teams

Wednesday, Aug. 26

Dave Canales couldn't spin his offense's performance Wednesday following joint practice between the Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans in Charlotte.

They were dominated.

The coach knew it. His players knew it. And the Texans did enough celebrating after several defensive stops to make sure everyone else knew it as well.

"They were better than us today," Canales said.

Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter lived in the backfield throughout the joint workout. He got to quarterback Bryce Young on at least five occasions for would-be sacks. Fellow pass rusherWill Anderson Jr. got to Young a couple of times, too, and forced regular pressure.

Young was hurried on the bulk of his dropbacks, which led to throws on the run to mixed results. Texans defensive back Calen Bullock picked Young off twice, once off an ill-advised throw and once off a ricochet ball that bounced off wide receiver Jalen Coker's hands. Young also sailed a couple of balls off the mark to open receivers as he tried to make off-platform throws.

Left tackle Rasheed Walker and rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling seemed to be overmatched throughout the majority of practice.

"Danielle Hunter, Will Anderson ... those guys are fantastic players," Canales said. "That's exactly what we need to see. Monroe needs it. Rasheed needs it. When we dropped back today, we couldn't really do much, other than Bryce extending and getting a couple of plays going. The rush was phenomenal, and that's exactly the information we need to be able to regroup. The run game was fine."

Wednesday's results aside, Canales said he's excited about what the offense has been able to do in camp. He's looking forward to what the unit can do with its scheme and various wrinkles. He's also excited about Young's connection with Coker and Tetairoa McMillan in the passing game.

"Today didn't show that," Canales said. "Today there were some flashes of some nice throws and catches, but that was a good group today. Again, I try not to take it all in a microcosm, but if we want to be good, we have to be able to play against teams like this."

Canales said after practice that the starters won't play against the Texans in the preseason finale on Friday (7 p.m. ET) at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers coach said the starters got roughly 75% of the reps in the joint practice, which he felt was enough work to move into the regular-season preparation process.

More observations:

• Wide receiver Ja'seem Reed, who made a nice catch off a Kenny Pickett deep ball in team drills, worked on the Jugs machine more than 35 minutes after practice.


• Pickett threw a pair of impressive touchdown passes to wide receivers John Metchie III and Jimmy Horn Jr. during 11-on-11 work. Both throws split two defenders, and Texans defensive back George Odum ended both plays with loud hits on the receivers. Metchie's score was a perfectly placed ball in the corner of the end zone, while Horn's grab was the final play of practice and came on a leaping play.


• Depth offensive lineman Ryan Hayes sustained an undisclosed injury in the middle of practice.


• Following the workout, Young and Anderson -- a pair of 2024 top-three picks and former Alabama teammates -- sat on the field and caught up for several minutes by themselves before Metchie -- another Alabama alum -- visited with them.


• Linebacker Devin Lloyd (knee) and wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot) didn't participate in the practice. Neither did cornerback Will Lee III, who had been dealing with a groin injury but practiced on Monday.

Monday, Aug. 24

The Panthers won't see wide receiver Xavier Legette again in the preseason. He also won't take part in joint practice against the Houston Texans on Wednesday as he will wear a walking boot on his right foot through Thursday, according to coach Dave Canales.

Rookie quarterback Haynes King (hamstring) will also be sidelined through the week as well, Canales said. King, like running back Chuba Hubbard (hamstring), is targeting a post-cut-deadline return to the field.

Tight end Darren Waller, who made his practice debut on Monday, will probably be held out of Friday's preseason finale. The recent addition will be peppered into team drills -- similar to his work to begin the week -- against the visiting AFC South squad.

The Panthers will cut their roster from 91 players -- including an international exemption -- to 53 players by 6 p.m. on Sunday. Check out our Panthers' 53-man roster projection from Monday morning.

More observations:

• Safety Lathan Ransom (undisclosed) and nose tackle Cam Jackson (concussion protocol) practiced in red non-contact jerseys.


• Cornerbacks Will Lee III and Akayleb Evans, wide receiver Ja'seem Reed, outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips all returned to practice after missing last week's matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars due to minor injuries.


• Linebacker Devin Lloyd (knee) was held out of practice after dealing with soreness following joint practice with the Jaguars on Wednesday. Per Canales, the team doesn't view the injury as something major, but he did undergo treatment.


• Tight end Feleipe Franks made an excellent over-the-shoulder catch for a big gain off a throw from depth QB Kyle Trask in 11-on-11 drills.


• Veteran offensive lineman Brady Christensen took some tackle reps on Monday after spending most of the summer at guard.


• Rookie safety Zakee Wheatley picked off starting QB Bryce Young in 7-on-7 work.


• Cornerback Corey Thornton ended practice on a diving pick off a throw from backup QB Kenny Pickett.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As Jaguars tight ends Brenton Strange and Nate Boerkircher made life difficult for the Panthers' defense Wednesday in joint practice, quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan had some fun of their own on the opposite field.
Young and McMillan were nearly automatic in foreign territory outside of EverBank Stadium. The quarterback heaved the ball down the field for his top target and McMillan routinely made him look good.

The fireworks started with Young tossing a beautiful strike to McMillan as he beat cornerback Jabbar Muhammad to the end zone in 11-on-11 drills. A little while later, Young hit McMillan on a crossing route in front of defenders at the tip of the goal line for a contested touchdown grab.

Finally, Young lifted a ball toward the end zone, about 25 yards, for McMillan, who jumped up to snag the ball over two defensive backs for a third touchdown.

More observations:

• The following players were sidelined during the joint practice: RBChuba Hubbard(hamstring), NT Cam Jackson (concussion protocol), WR Ja'seem Reed (calf), CB Akayleb Evans (undisclosed), QB Haynes King (hamstring), CBWill Lee III(groin) and TE Darren Waller (onboarding).


• Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and wide receiver Xavier Legette were pulled early from drills as a precaution due to minor injuries, according to coach Dave Canales. Phillips told the staff he was fine after hurting his wrist, while the team's medical staff cleared Legette after he got rolled up on in team drills.


• Tight ends Feleipe Franks and Mitchell Evans both produced touchdowns in team drills. Franks caught an early touchdown off a throw from third-string quarterback Kyle Trask and then mocked the Jaguars fans in attendance with a celebration after the score. Young found Evans streaking wide open to the end zone on a roughly 50-yard completion for a touchdown.


• It was a mixed bag for the Panthers' defense against quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville offense. But in the red zone drills, the Jaguars scored five consecutive touchdowns, including three completions in the end zone to tight ends.


• Returning linebacker Devin Lloyd had a couple of nice moments with a stop against the run and a pass breakup that led to some jawing between both sides. Phillips had an early tackle for loss on running back Ameer Abdullah, which featured the free agent addition tossing the veteran to the ground.


• Safety Nick Scott picked off Lawrence during team drills and cornerback Mike Jackson made an impressive two-handed pass breakup on wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in 11-on-11 work.

Monday, Aug. 17

New Panthers tight end Darren Waller's free agency waiting game ended last Wednesday. He said his agent called him about the opportunity that morning right before he was heading out to a training session.

Waller, who will turn 34 in September, didn't practice on Monday after officially signing with his fifth NFL team. Instead, he watched the workout, chatting with coaches and new teammates throughout the session.

In Carolina, he is reunited with safety Tre'von Moehrig, whom he played with previously in Las Vegas, and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and associate head coach Darrell Bevell, whom he worked with in Miami last season.

According to coach Dave Canales, Waller isn't likely to mix it up with the Jaguars in joint practices on Wednesday in Jacksonville. But the veteran playmaker might be able to suit up in his newly issued No. 35 jersey and get some individual work with starting quarterback Bryce Young.

More observations:

• Ja'seem Reed, a training camp wide receiver-turned-summer standout, sustained a calf injury against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, according to Canales. He was set to undergo imaging on the ailment Monday after practice.


• Outside linebacker Cam Gill played through a shoulder injury against the Bills, posting a sack in the second preseason game. He was held out of the first workout of the week due to increased soreness, according to Canales.


• Rookie cornerback Will Lee III played through a groin injury against Buffalo but was sidelined Monday during practice.


• The Panthers cross-trained offensive linemen during the workout. Rookie Albert Reese IV, who was signed as an offensive tackle, played second-team right guard, while veteran Jake Curhan worked with the second-team line as a left guard. Chandler Zavala, who had an underwhelming outing against Buffalo as the starting left guard, played second-team center. Backup center Nick Samac took his turn as the third-string right guard for the third time this summer.


• The highlight of the hottest practice session to date was an intermediate sideline toss from Young to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan over cornerback Akayleb Evans, who was wearing a red non-contact jersey. Young fit the ball perfectly in front of McMillan to grab it right before heading out of bounds.


• Third-string QB Kyle Trask, who was signed last week, fired an excellent deep ball shot to depth wide receiver Casey Washington for a touchdown in 11-on-11 drills.

Who is the Panthers' top performer so far at camp?

Third-year wide receiver Jalen Coker's immediate returns after receiving a three-year, $34 million contract extension in July have made the Panthers' brass look wise this summer. The former undrafted playmaker has gotten open with regularity and caught the ball cleanly and consistently throughout training camp.

Coker has looked dynamic opposite Tetairoa McMillan, who has impressed in his own right. The top tandem's summer production has been encouraging, especially with third-round pickChris Brazzell II(knee) out for the season and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette still working to live up to his draft pedigree.

What still needs to be answered over the course of preseason games?

Will the offensive line be able to overcome a litany of injury adversity to begin the season?

The Panthers' longtime starting tackles,Ikem Ekwonu(knee) and Taylor Moton (blood clot), will be sidelined into the regular season. They'll be replaced by free-agent addition Rasheed Walker at left tackle and first-round pick Monroe Freeling at right tackle, respectively. Walker has plenty of starting experience, but Freeling is switching to the opposite side of the line as a rookie.

Left guard Damien Lewis (calf) and right guard Rob Hunt (back) missed several practices during the first few weeks of training camp. Brady Christensen, a versatile backup, will be an important insurance policy for both.

Thursday, Aug. 13

The Carolina Panthers consider running back Chuba Hubbard to be "week-to-week" after he injured his hamstring in Wednesday's practice.

Head coach Dave Canales said Hubbard underwent an MRI on Thursday before practice and the starting running back will be sidelined for the second preseason matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York on Saturday.

According to Canales, Hubbard sustained the injury during a one-on-one drill.

With Hubbard sidelined, Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne will rotate in with the starters for a couple of series, Canales said. A.J. Dillon will also receive an early workload against Buffalo.

Other observations:

• Defensive end Derrick Brown (knee) and outside linebacker Pat Jones (illness) wore uniforms during Thursday's non-padded practice. Brown took part in individual drills after working with a trainer before practice.


• Left guard Damien Lewis (calf) and right guard Rob Hunt (back) took team reps together. They were replaced by Chandler Zavala and Brady Christensen later in practice.


• Wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. was getting open with ease throughout practice, but he was rarely targeted by the quarterbacks.


• Starting quarterback Bryce Young had an excellent sequence to end practice during the two-minute drill in 11-on-11 work. He hit wide receiver Xavier Legette on a shallow cross and the playmaker sped up the field untouched for a touchdown. On the next and final play, Young rolled around the pocket with no one open and zipped a laser through defenders to tight end Tommy Tremble for a touchdown.


• Tight end Darren Waller didn't make his practice debut on Thursday because he had to undergo a physical. The team still needs to make a corresponding move to fit him on the roster.A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN the team plans to sign Waller following the preseason matchup against the Bills on Saturday.

Wednesday, Aug. 12

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has gotten "bigger and stronger" this offseason, according to head coach Dave Canales. And that improved physique was on display throughout Wednesday's practice in Charlotte.

McMillan started the day with a nifty double move against starting cornerback Mike Jackson in one-on-one drills. McMillan was able to create increased separation with his route progression after beating Jackson off the line. The wideout then hauled in the ball for a touchdown a few paces in front of Jackson.

"At the line of scrimmage, just hasn't really had an issue this camp," Canales said. "Getting off the line, I think that he's really translating all the work he did in the offseason. ... I'm really excited where he's at."

Later, during team drills, the connection between quarterback Bryce Young and McMillan wasapparent.

Young was picked off by Jackson on an early rep while targeting McMillan. But following that miscue, the starting quarterback connected with McMillan on more than a handful of tosses.

Other observations:

• Along with Jackson's interception against Young in team drills, safetyDemani Richardsonintercepted a pass from backup QB Kenny Pickett in 11-on-11 drills.


• Left guard Damien Lewis (calf) returned to practice in pads after missing several workouts during the first two weeks of camp. He took part in individual drills. He isn't expected to play against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday, per Canales.


• Outside linebacker Pat Jones (illness) was a new absence. Defensive end Derrick Brown (knee soreness) also missed practice. Brown hasn't worked with his teammates in a week.


• Rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling, the team's first-round pick, had a pair of strong reps against outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, the team's prized free-agent addition, in individual pass rush drills. Following the first rep, veteran lineman Brady Christensen clapped in approval. After the second try, offensive line coach Joe Gilbert loudly praised Freeling's technique.

Monday, Aug. 10

A competition is brewing at inside linebacker next to one of the Carolina Panthers' biggest offseason additions.

Trevin Wallace is competing with veteran Claudin Cherelus for the second starting linebacker job opposite All-Pro defender Devin Lloyd, head coach Dave Canales confirmed Monday.

The Panthers signed Lloyd to a three-year, $41.9 million deal in March to lead their defense. However, when defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero uses a base set, the play-caller will deploy two inside linebackers, which is why the competition becomes paramount for the unit. Wallace, a 2024 third-round pick, has been limited to 25 games (20 starts) during his first two seasons. He has sustained back-to-back season-ending shoulder ailments and underwent surgery for the latest setback after landing on injured reserve in December of last year.

Despite his injury struggles over the past two years, Wallace was expected to be the first man up next to Lloyd. Now, he'll need to earn that spot in the lineup. Both Wallace and Cherelus played in the first half during Thursday's 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.

Other observations:

• Several players were forced to break up a tussle between center Luke Fortner and cornerback Mike Jackson in the middle of the scrum following an 11-on-11 rep. At one point, Fortner and Jackson, while hanging onto each other, slammed down to the ground. The bout was quickly separated, but backup offensive tackle Stone Forsythe was also pushed to the ground.


• Canales acknowledged that the defense bounced back on Monday after being one-upped by the offense on Sunday. Backup linebacker Bam Martin-Scott, rookie cornerback Cam Miller and nickel corner Corey Thornton got hands on passes for deflections in coverage during team drills.


• Backup Kenny Pickett had some nice moments. He made an excellent sideline toss to running back Trevor Etienne with safety Isaiah Simmons closely guarding his inside shoulder. Pickett located the ball perfectly to Etienne, who snagged the ball roughly 25 yards down the field, with Simmons' right arm barely missing a pass breakup.


• Third-string quarterback Kyle Trask, who was added Sunday, made an excellent sideline throw to training camp standout Ja'seem Reed in team drills. The wide receiver has been getting open with regularity and has become a favorite of the depth QBs.


• Left guard Damien Lewis (calf) and defensive end Derrick Brown (knee soreness) worked off to the side with trainers. Brown has missed the past two practices, while Lewis has been sidelined for more than a week.

Legette suffers apparent stinger, avoids concussion

Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette suffered a "stinger" on a hard fall during Tuesday's practice, according to coach Dave Canales, who added that the third-year player does not have a concussion.
Legette was trying to make a catch in the corner of the end zone when he came down hard on the back of his head. Trainers rushed to his side and Legette was later seen wiggling his fingers in the air in front of trainers before boarding a cart.

It was the latest scare in what has been an injury-riddled start to training camp for the Panthers, who have already lost starting linebacker Nic Scourton and rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II for the season. Read more

Pickett to start Thursday's preseason game

Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett will start Thursday night's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals(8 p.m. ET, NBC), per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter. Pickett, No. 2 on the depth chart behindBryce Young, will lead a Carolina team that doesn't plan to play any of its starters Thursday night, including rookie offensive tackleMonroe Freeling.

Panthers coach Dave Canales added Pickett, 28, to develop behind Young, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 draft. Pickett replaced 38-year-old Andy Dalton, who was traded in March to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick. -- ESPN Staff

Panthers VP says decision on Young deal 'collaborative'

The Panthers remain tight-lipped about the long-term contractual future of quarterbackBryce Youngas he prepares to enter his fourth NFL season.

Panthers executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis said Monday he felt Young "ascended" to a new level last season, while adding that the 25-year-old's ceiling is still "unknown."

After being benched early in his second season, the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 responded by throwing for 3,011 yards with 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year while going 8-8 as a starter and leading the Panthers to an NFC South championship. Read more

Fans show up for scrimmage; injuries cast a shadow

The Panthers scrimmaged in front of approximately 40,000 fans at Bank of America Stadium on Friday night in their first appearance on their home turf since losing in the opening round of last season's playoffs. Injuries continue to be the story of the team's training camp with three other players kept out of the action.
Tight end Tommy Tremble, defensive tackle Derrick Brown and linebacker Devin Lloyd all sat out.

Coach Dave Canales said after the scrimmage that Tremble had "general soreness" in his right knee on which he wore a sleeve on Friday night, and Brown and Lloyd were taking their regularly scheduled "veteran days." Read more

Panthers WR Chris Brazzell to have season-ending knee surgery

After suffering a moderate lateral collateral ligament tear in his left knee in practice Wednesday, the team announced Thursday thatChris Brazzell IIwill undergo season-ending surgery.

The injuries are beginning to pile up in Carolina, and the third-round pick out of Tennessee is just the latest one. Read more

Rookie WR Chris Brazzell suffers LCL tear

Panthers rookie receiver Chris Brazzell II suffered a moderate lateral collateral ligament tear in his left knee in practice Wednesday and is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, a league source told ESPN, confirming a report by The Athletic.

The injury came on a noncontact play. Brazzell, who is competing for the Panthers WR3 role, will seek a second opinion.

Brazzell, selected in the third round out of Tennessee by the Panthers this year, had missed two practices earlier this week because of soreness in that knee. Read more

TE Evans carted off during camp practice

Panthers second-year tight endMitchell Evanswas carted off the field on Tuesday with an ankle injury.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said after practice that Evans got rolled up on and that the initial diagnosis indicates the injury is not viewed as serious.

"They [the medical staff] are pretty optimistic," Canales said. "But we're going to do a full evaluation just to make sure there's nothing happening in there. ... I'll give you more information as we do the full evaluation." Read more

Panthers make three roster moves

Carolina on Saturday, July 25, signed defensive tackles Kyon Barrs and Elijah Garcia, and cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson, according to the team. All three players took part in a workout Friday.

To make room for the three players on the Panthers roster, the team announced it waived tackle Derrell Bailey Jr., linebacker Jared Bartlett, and cornerback Michael Reid.

LB Scourton placed on injured reserve after knee injury

The Panthers have placed second-year outside linebacker Nic Scourton on injured reserve after he suffered a right knee injury during the first day of training camp Thursday.

Scourton suffered a torn ACL in the knee, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Cameron Wolfe.

It's a huge blow for the Panthers, who were counting on Scourton to be a top pass rusher opposite free agent addition Jaelan Phillips. Read more

David Tepper invests another $500M into stadium renovation

Panthers owner David Tepper is investing an additional $500 million into ongoing stadium renovations to improve overall fan experience with an eye toward potentially bringing the Super Bowl, NFL draft, 2031 Women's World Cup and other major sporting events to Charlotte, North Carolina.

The investment coincides with the team announcing it has reached a long-term extension on a stadium naming rights deal Thursday with Bank of America. Read more

RT Moton sidelined indefinitely with blood clot in lung

Panthers starting right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung late last month and will miss regular-season time, the team announced Tuesday.

Moton was placed on the non-football injury list along with cornerback Jaycee Horn before the start of training camp. Horn has a cut on his foot that required stitches but is expected to be activated early during training camp, the team said.

Moton was placed on blood thinners after his diagnosis and is responding well to that treatment. He is being assessed daily by the Panthers' medical staff.Read more

Panthers training camp preview

The Panthers are heading into the 2026 season as the reigning NFC South champions after finishing in a three-way tie at 8-9 last season. The division feels wide open for the taking again after several seasons of lackluster finishes (the last runaway winner of the division was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021).

The Panthers, behind Young and coach Dave Canales, will be attempting to not only stay in the playoff mix again, but they're looking for their first winning season since 2017 as well. Read more