The Carolina Panthers and the Cleveland Browns took the field together Wednesday morning for a joint training camp practice ahead of their preseason game Friday at 7pm. The hour and forty minute session featured both teams facing each other in seven versus seven, as well as, full team drills. Here are several observations from the day.
Prime Meetup
Panthers’ receiver Jimmy Horn Jr and Browns’ quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a joyful reunion just before practice began, with Sanders making sure to connect with Horn to exchange daps and pleasantries. The former Colorado teammates both sported retro Deion Sanders cleats during the session.
Horn and Sanders are competing for spots on their team’s 53-man roster and will likely see extended playing time in Friday’s game.
Just A Little Mishap
Shortly before practice began the Panthers announced that cornerback Jaycee Horn, who signed a 4-year $100 million extension with the team during the offseason, would not participate in joint practice after being involved in car accident on the way to the facility. Per the release Horn was alone in his car when the incident occurred at the corner of Mint and Morehead Streets.
Head coach Dave Canales said after practice Jaycee had to get several stitches in his left thumb and is officially listed as day-to-day. He also said Horn will not play in Friday’s game.
After practice Jayce told us it was “just a little mishap” and tweeted that he’s “straight.”
Red Zone Work
The Panthers’ offense got in a lot of red zone work against the Browns’ defense, with most seven versus seven and team drills starting within the 20. Bryce Young and the Panthers’ 1st team offense won the day, although not in dominant fashion, with Young connecting with Tetaroia McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker for touchdowns. While there were a couple of plays where there seemed to be miscommunication between Bryce and his receivers, the offense had more receptions and touch downs than not and no interceptions.
“Just finding his guys down the field and guys being available to him,” head coach Dave Canales said when asked about Young’s performance. “I think the seven-on-seven period they weren’t on the same page a couple of times, so that’s something we can work through, but I loved the bounce back plays out there.”
Bounce Back
We’ve heard about Tetairoa McMillan’s resolve from Dave Canales before. Wednesday it was on full display. Every time T Mac had a drop or incompletion he bounced back with an impressive play. During a red zone seven versus seven drill McMillan got one hand on a jump ball from Dalton in the back of the end zone, but couldn’t haul it in. On the next play he made a reaching catch in the back of the end zone from Young for a touchdown.
Additional Notes
- Jalen Coker flashed, catching two touchdowns during seven versus seven.
- There was a slight scuffle between the Panthers’ offense and the Browns’ defense. Chuba Hubbard had a strong run and started talking trash to Browns’ safety Rayshawn Jenkins afterward. Words were exchanged and Hubbard then tossed the ball into Jenkins’ hands. As Chuba walked away Rayshawn runs up to him and throws the ball at the back of his head.
- Linebacker Claudin Cherelus is being evaluated for a groin injury.
- While Canales was exclusively on the offensive side of the field he said that defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said “it went pretty good” on defense. Safety Tre’Von Moehrig said he was most impressed their energy.
