The third day of training camp for the Carolina Panthers also happened to be the first fully-padded practice. Of course, the first day of pads brings big hits but big injuries can happen as well. Below is a look at what took place in Spartanburg, SC on the third day of Panthers training camp.
Notables for the Carolina Panthers First Day of Pads
Daryl Williams Carted Off
Injuries in football are unavoidable but it always dampens a team’s mood when it occurs on the first day of pads. That occurred Saturday when right tackle Daryl Williams went down with a right knee injury. The injury was a non-contact one as his knee happened to buckle when dropping back to pass block.
Williams needed to be carted off the field and will be heading to Charlotte for further evaluation. The right tackle was entering a contract year and this injury could possibly hurt his chances of earning a big contract. For the Panthers, offensive tackle is not a position they are necessarily deep at. Second-year player Taylor Moton will look to get most of the starting reps at right tackle if Williams is injured for an extended period of time. Moton was also competing for the starting left guard position so that thins out the potential options the Panthers can use on the other side.
Defensive Backs Made Plays
The entire secondary had an impressive day at practice Saturday morning. Third-year cornerback James Bradberry batted a number of passes away from receivers in both the team and one-on-one drills. The Panthers have high hopes that he will rebound after a mediocre 2017 season.
In addition, second-round draft pick Donte Jackson and third-round draft pick Rashaan Gaulden lined up with the starting defense in the first 11-on-11 drills. The two rookies held their own, both batting away a couple passes during the period. Both Jackson and Gaulden bring elite speed and versatility to the back end of the Panthers defense, something the franchise has not had in quite some time.
Jackson also had a nice play earlier in the afternoon during a one-on-one drill against Panthers first-round selection D.J. Moore. The corner appeared to bite on Moore’s double-move but displayed great recovery speed and batted the ball away from Moore’s hands. It is worth noting that the ball was underthrown and a good throw would have resulted in a touchdown, it should be easy for fans to appreciate the hustle.
Action Jackson vs MOORE ? pic.twitter.com/kRHInJ2WMU
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 28, 2018
Kevon Seymour also had a nice day in the secondary batting a few passes away in one-on-one drills. The third-year corner ended practice with an interception off of Taylor Heinicke, however, offensive players like quarterback Cam Newton claimed Seymour dropped it. It’s too bad there isn’t instant replay at training camp facilities.
Cam Newton Addressed the Media
For the first time since the Wild Card loss to the New Orleans Saints, Newton took questions from reporters after Saturday’s practice. Newton commented that he appreciates the open-mindedness of new offensive coordinator, Norv Turner and his staff, in comparison to Mike Shula‘s in years past. Turner commented earlier in the off-season that he hopes to get Newton’s completion percentage up to 65-70% this upcoming season and Newton agreed in Saturday’s presser that 65-70% for him is very attainable.
Newton also mentioned that he has liked what he has seen from the wide receivers thus far. “The addition of Torrey Smith was important because it brings a veteran presence to that position group,” Newton said. “Guys like Devin Funchess will learn things from Smith and Smith could learn a thing or two from Funchess as well.”
The quarterback was also asked about his energy levels around the team and Newton responded that he tries to be positively contagious. “Body language is important,” Newton said. “No one wants to be around a guy who doesn’t look like he wants to be there.”
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