Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 3

Jul 26, 2026 - 18:50

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After a walkthrough on Saturday, the Carolina Panthers were greeted back at the practice field with a bit of rain this morning. But that didn't stop their offense from shining.

Here are the top takeaways and observations from Sunday's session:

Injury updates

Head coach Dave Canales offered up encouraging updates on right guard Robert Hunt and cornerback Mike Jackson, both of whom missed a second straight practice due to back tightness.

"All good stuff," Canales told reporters of their progress after the session. "Rob's trending in the right direction, and he should be back pretty quickly. Mike, too. Mike had a really good day running out there. They were able to treat him up, and didn't look like anything significant.

"'Camp back' is what they call it. You get in, it's the first time you're competing, you're going against each other. And fortunately for us, we have this bonus week. With the Hall of Fame game, where a lot of the things that end up popping up early in on camp happening's for us about a week earlier. So we can get ahead of it, we can get a treatment plan and then we can dose 'em the right way and get 'em out there."

Hunt and Jackson were joined on the side by rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, who is dealing with a knee injury. Canales didn't seem overly concerned with the third-round pick's setback.

"Just something that we're being aware of, and we're gonna get him some treatment and get him out there as soon as possible," he added.

'X' marked his spot

The Carolina defense appeared to be emerge as the "winners" from the first two practices. But the offense bounced back on Sunday, with third-year wideout Xavier Legette as its star.

"Just a great carryover from the spring," Canales said of Legette. "At this point now, X knows the system. That's the cool part. As we bring free agents, as we bring rookies in—they see X—and he knows how to do it all.

"He looks fast, he looks powerful. He's having a great camp so far, as we get started. And I'm excited to see where he goes from here."

Legette is coming off a disappointing sophomore season, where he saw his production and playing time dip. The 2024 first-round pick must continue his strong offseason to establish himself within the growing ranks of the receiver room.

An early dark horse?

Along with Legette, fellow wideout Ja'seem Reed also provided a spark to the unit this morning.

Canales spoke about the second-year pass catcher.

"He's consistent," Canales stated. "He knows the concepts, he's a really smart guy—and he's been that way since we got him. A guy we have a lot of trust in. And then, he just keeps making plays."

Reed, an undrafted free-agent signee in 2025, spent his rookie campaign on the Panthers' practice squad. The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder entered the pros as the Pioneer Football League's Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, where he recorded 77 receptions for 1,052 yards and 12 touchdowns for the University of San Diego.

Top observations

#Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson just walked onto the field as well; not in uniform. Him and Hunt both missed last practice too due to back tightness. https://t.co/965X4cZa5H
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2026

Rob Hunt working on the side again today. pic.twitter.com/C545YmAfzg
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 26, 2026

Chris Brazzell is in rain gear on the side. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 26, 2026

Xavier Legette in individuals. pic.twitter.com/eF63prUM98
— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 26, 2026

Jalen Coker in individual drills #Panthers pic.twitter.com/ngDqpIL4WI
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) July 26, 2026

#Panthers QB Bryce Young red zone work. No drops. pic.twitter.com/z2phsOsnZv
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2026

Xavier Legette was getting mugged and held throughout an go route and Bryce Young put it exactly where it needed to be in the end zone and 17 made a fantastic catch for a TD in 1 on 1. #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 26, 2026

First 1-on-1 session of Panthers training camp was today.

Winner?

Corey Thornton
— Kassidy Hill (@KassidyGHill) July 26, 2026

#Panthers 1-on-1 work notes:

—Jalen Coker one-handed catch on Corey Thornton (good coverage, better catch)

—Xavier Legette great catch in corner of end zone against Robert Rochell; great pass from Bryce Young

—Chau Smith-Wade great PBU on BY pass to John Metchie in end zone
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2026

11v11. Freeling with good protection on the right side against a rushing Phillips. Young hits a wide open David Moore in the back of the end zone for the TD. Will Lee was in coverage.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 26, 2026

Zakee Wheatley strips the ball from Miles Davis and runs back the recovery. (Sad trumpet noise for offense) #Panthers
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 26, 2026

Jonathon Brooks is looking SHIFTY. #Panthers
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) July 26, 2026

7v7. Ja’seem Reid was double covered in the end zone but makes the diving TD catch on a Kenny Pickett pass. It was so impressive the entire offense ran to the end zone to congratulate him.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 26, 2026

In 7-on-7 work still: #Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton PBU while covering Tetairoa McMillan. Pass from Bryce Young.
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2026

Young, off balance and through traffic, threads the needle to Metchie. Strong showing so far today. #Panthers
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) July 26, 2026

11v11 end zone. Bryce treads the defense and finds a crossing McMillan in the end zone for the defense. Great read by Young and route for T Mac. Each knew exactly where the ball should and would be.
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 26, 2026

#Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald goes 3-for-5 on field goals today. Good from 32, 47 and 52 yards out. No good from 42 and 57.
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2026