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Tommy Tremble Tommy Tremble Still on track for Week 1
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 11:24 AM
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Tuesday that Tremble (back), who remains on the active/PUP list, is still on track to suit up Week 1 but won't be a candidate to return in time for Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Tremble is still progressing through his recovery from back surgery undergone in May, which has caused him to miss the entirety of training camp and the preseason to date. Once back in action Tremble may start at TE for Carolina, but he's expected to largely contribute on offense as a blocker. Second-year pro Ja'Tavion Sanders, who has handled expanded first-team reps with Tremble sidelined, projects as the Panthers' top pass-catching tight end. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Absent from practice
Tue, Aug 19, 2025, 9:39 AM
McMillan (hamstring) is not practicing Tuesday, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Panthers coach Dave Canales said McMillan is simply dealing with a tight hamstring after having handled a large preseason workload. The rookie first-rounder also sat out Monday's practice, but at this stage there are no concerns about his availability for Week 1. Canales has already announced that Carolina's starters will sit out Thursday's preseason finale against Pittsburgh. |
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Andy Dalton Andy Dalton Day-to-day due to muscle strain
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 2:14 PM
Dalton (elbow) is day-to-day as he deals with a muscle strain in his elbow area, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Dalton was originally diagnosed with an elbow sprain Saturday, but the injury has been clarified as more of a muscle strain, which has left the quarterback dealing with soreness. Dalton threw in individual drills Monday and isn't expected to miss significant time, though it remains to be seen if he heals in time to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Steelers. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Minor hamstring issue
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 1:49 PM
McMillan did not practice Monday due to a minor hamstring injury, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McMillan joined Bryce Young and the starting offense for two series during Saturday's 20-3 preseason loss to Houston, in which he failed to haul in his only target and appears to have picked up a hamstring injury. Panthers coach Dave Canales has already stated that McMillan and the starters won't play in Thursday's exhibition finale against Pittsburgh, so the rookie first-round pick will turn his attention toward getting healthy for Week 1 against the Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 7, a task the next three weeks (roughly) should be plenty of time to accomplish. Carolina figures to take a cautious approach to McMillan's recovery, given his integral role on offense as Young's immediate No. 1 target. |
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Trevor Etienne Trevor Etienne Totals 70 all-purpose yards in loss
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 5:22 PM
Etienne rushed seven times for 18 yards, brought in his only target for seven yards and ran back two kickoffs for 45 yards in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Analysis: The rookie was the third back in behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, and although he managed just modest gains on the ground, he offered reasonable production with his touches as a receiver and returner. Etienne appears to be in line to open the regular season in the same slotting in the backfield pecking order that was featured Saturday, while also potentially seeing time as a returner on occasion. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Quiet in second preseason outing
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 4:00 PM
McMillan failed to bring in either of his two targets in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Analysis: The rookie first-round pick couldn't follow up his eye-catching 2-43 receiving line from Carolina's preseason opener. McMillan naturally was out there with the rest of the Panthers' projected starters over the first two drives, but Bryce Young didn't deliver a very accurate ball on one of his two targets, per Darin Gantt of the team's official site. McMillan's quiet afternoon notwithstanding, he projects for a significant role as a top target for Young right from the onset of his NFL career, and based on David Newton of ESPN.com's report, McMillan will sit out the preseason finale against the Steelers on Thursday with the rest of Carolina's first-team offense. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Three touches in preseason loss
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 3:54 PM
Dowdle rushed twice for two yards and secured his only target for 15 yards in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Analysis: The offseason addition entered the game after Chuba Hubbard, with Dowdle logging his first touch on the first third down of the Panthers' third drive of the afternoon. Dowdle recorded his 15-yard catch on that play and then netted his two rushing yards over the next two snaps to wrap up his afternoon. A 1,000-yard rusher in 2024 with the Cowboys, Dowdle appears slotted for a solid but still complementary role alongside Hubbard going into the 2025 regular season. |
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Andy Dalton Andy Dalton Managing elbow sprain
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 3:13 PM
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Saturday that Dalton has been diagnosed with an elbow sprain, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Canales said Dalton told him he feels OK after having been forced out of Saturday's 20-3 preseason loss against the Texans, but the veteran quarterback will undergo further medical testing Sunday. If Dalton is unavailable for any stretch of time, including Carolina's preseason finale against the Steelers on Thursday, Aug. 21, Jack Plummer will step up as the primary backup to Bryce Young. |
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Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Two touches in Saturday's loss
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 3:11 PM
Hubbard rushed twice for four yards and wasn't targeted in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Analysis: The Panthers' lead back was out there with his first-unit mates for two series, but Hubbard was sparsely used. That was also the case in the preseason opener against the Browns, as keeping the versatile back healthy for Week 1 is clearly a top priority. Hubbard will share the backfield with Rico Dowdle this coming season, which will likely lead to at least a slight hit to the former's touches, but he should still be in line for a robust role as both runner and receiver. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Unproductive cameo Saturday
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 2:58 PM
Young failed to complete either of his two pass attempts and rushed once for two yards in the Panthers' 20-3 preseason loss to the Texans on Saturday afternoon.
Analysis: Young and his first-unit teammates only played two series, and as his final line indicates, the 2023 first overall pick couldn't get on the board as a passer. Young targeted Ja'Tavion Sanders and rookie sensation Tetairoa McMillan with his two throws, with the former unable to find the handle on his opportunity despite the ball hitting his hands. He also saw his first pass intercepted by Derek Stingley and returned 31 yards into Panthers territory, but the play was nullified by a defensive holding penalty. While it was an underwhelming cameo for Young to say the least, expectations remain high for him in Year 2 in Dave Canales' offense, and he also was sharp during joint practices against Houston earlier in the week. Young's preseason is now complete, as David Newton of ESPN.com reports Canales has already ruled out playing starters in Thursday night's home preseason finale against the Steelers. |
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Andy Dalton Andy Dalton Injures elbow Saturday
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 1:03 PM
Dalton will not return to Saturday's preseason game against the Texans due to a right elbow injury, Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340 reports.
Analysis: Dalton entered Saturday's contest after Bryce Young started the first drive, but the veteran quarterback has now exited for the day after taking a hit from Houston defensive end Danielle Hunter, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports that Dalton appears in high spirits on the sideline, though, an indication that the elbow injury is something he could play through were this a regular-season affair, rather than a preseason matchup. Jack Plummer will close things out for the Panthers under center. |
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Jalen Coker Jalen Coker Likely out due to illness
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 10:48 AM
Coker (illness) is not expected to suit up for Saturday's preseason game against the Texans, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Coker impressed during Carolina's preseason matchup against the Browns, scoring Carolina's only touchdown of the 30-10 loss while finishing with a 2-17-1 receiving line. The second-year pro is competing with Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette for reps in three-wide sets, with rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan seemingly already having entrenched himself as Bryce Young's clear No. 1 wideout. It looks like Coker will have to wait until the Panthers' preseason finale against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Aug. 21 for his next chance to build exhibition momentum, however. |
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Hunter Renfrow Hunter Renfrow Practicing in full pads
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 9:47 AM
Renfrow (hamstring) is participating in Monday's padded practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Renfrow missed over a week of practice and Friday's preseason opener against the Browns due to a lingering hamstring injury, but the veteran wideout now appears to be ready to handle practice reps without restrictions. After having spent the 2024 season away from the NFL, Renfrow inked a one-year deal with Carolina in April and is competing for a slot role in the Panthers' wide receiver corps. |
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Trevor Etienne Trevor Etienne Costly fumble in preseason debut
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 11:19 PM
Etienne gained three rushing yards on two carries, caught his only target for 14 yards, and added 27 yards on two kick returns in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
Analysis: The 2025 fourth-round pick was the third running back into the game for the Panthers after Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, and while Etienne's varied usage was encouraging, he also muffed a punt deep in Carolina territory at the end of the first quarter that led directly to the Browns' first TD of the game. Raheem Blackshear, Etienne's primary competition for the No. 3 spot on the RB depth chart, handled kick and punt return duties for Carolina in 2024 and gained a career-high 936 yards in that role, so the rookie's miscue could weigh heavily on his prospects. Given the draft capital expended on him, Etienne's spot on the 53-man roster is likely secure, but he's got a tough road to carving out any kind of fantasy value. |
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Adam Thielen Adam Thielen Clean catch in preseason debut
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 11:11 PM
Thielen brought in his only target for 10 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to Cleveland.
Analysis: Thielen made a clean sideline catch in the first quarter before making an early exit with the rest of the first-team offense in Friday's preseason opener. The 34-year-old flirted with the idea of retirement this past offseason before deciding to suit up for at least one more season with the Panthers. Thielen remained productive in 10 active games with Carolina last year, producing a 48-615-5 receiving line over that span. Look for the two-time Pro Bowler to operate as one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets out of the gates. |
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Tetairoa McMillan Tetairoa McMillan Shows off chemistry with Young
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 11:06 PM
McMillan caught two of five targets for a game-high 43 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
Analysis: The eighth overall pick in the 2025 Draft got the start and played the entire first half, but all his production came in the first quarter with Bryce Young under center. The duo connected on a deep shot down the sideline for a 30-yard gain to launch Carolina's second drive of the game, as McMillan beat his man on a jump ball, and he added a 13-yard catch later in the possession for a first down. Young then looked his way in the end zone, but the rookie wideout dropped a sure TD to put a blemish on what was otherwise an impressive introduction to NFL game action. McMillan's two later incompletions came with Andy Dalton under center. Young could be poised for a Year 3 breakout, and McMillan already appears locked in as his top target, setting him up for potentially high volume in the Panthers passing game. |
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Rico Dowdle Rico Dowdle Makes impact as receiver Friday
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 10:50 PM
Dowdle gained seven rushing yards on three carries and caught his only target for 20 yards in Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
Analysis: The former Cowboy made his debut in a Panthers' uniform after signing a one-year contract in March, and Dowdle flashed his three-down skill set by connecting with Andy Dalton on a big gain early in the second quarter. As expected, Dowdle appears to be behind incumbent starter Chuba Hubbard on the depth chart, but with both players having gained over 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 for their respective teams and Dowdle posting better numbers as a receiver, he figures to still have a substantial role in Carolina's offense. |
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Chuba Hubbard Chuba Hubbard Brief cameo in preseason opener
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 10:44 PM
Hubbard gained 10 rushing yards on three carries and failed to catch his only target during Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
Analysis: The fifth-year running back got the start but handled only a handful of snaps before giving way to Rico Dowdle midway through the first quarter. While the limited usage is a good sign that Hubbard's spot atop the depth chart isn't in any jeopardy, it's still uncertain how coach Dave Canales plans to split the backfield workload this season after the Panthers signed Dowdle in March. Both backs are coming off 1,000-yard campaigns -- Dowdle with Dallas, and Hubbard with Carolina -- but the latter's familiarity with the offense should keep him in the driver's seat for the bigger role come Week 1. |
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Bryce Young Bryce Young Tosses TD in preseason opener
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 10:38 PM
Young completed four of six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown during Friday's 30-10 preseason loss to the Browns.
Analysis: The third-year quarterback got the start but only handled the Panthers' first two drives before handing things over to Andy Dalton. Young made an impact in his brief time on the field however, capping his final possession with a five-yard TD strike to Jalen Coker, a score set up by a 29-yard connection with rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan. Young showed signs of growth in 2024 after a disastrous rookie campaign, and Carolina is counting on the first overall pick in the 2023 Draft to take another big step forward with his development this season. |
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Hunter Renfrow Hunter Renfrow Unlikely to play Friday
Fri, Aug 8, 2025, 4:55 PM
Renfrow (hamstring) is not expected to play in Friday's preseason opener against the Browns, Joe Person of The Athletic rpeorts.
Analysis: Renfrow is working through a hamstring injury and hasn't practiced since late July, but there's optimism that the veteran wideout will be available for the Panthers' second preseason game against the Texans on Saturday, Aug. 16. Renfrow's absence opens the door for wideouts further down the depth chart to get more reps on offense, including David Moore, Jimmy Horn and Brycen Tremayne. Renfrow signed a one-year contract with the Panthers in April after taking a season off in 2024. |
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