Panthers 2025 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 5

USA Today

4 days ago

The Carolina Panthers, for the first time this summer, have thrown on the pads.
Here are the top takeaways and observations from Monday's (partially heated) outing of training camp . . .
Activated
Before the start of practice, the Panthers officially activated defensive lineman Bobby Brown III and punter Sam Martin from the active/non-football injury list.
Both Brown and Martin were dealing with minor hamstring injuries. They are now cleared to return to the field.
T-Mac hits back
Rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan was bested by starting cornerback Mike Jackson during one-on-one drills at Saturday's session. But the eighth overall pick got his lick back on the veteran this morning . . .
Head coach Dave Canales talked about McMillan's breakaway speed.
"He plays fast," Canales told reporters. "That was kinda going back to his film from Arizona. His play speed is what you look at. And yes, we take into consideration what the 40 time looks like. He ran a 4.5. He's fast. But he's a tall guy. And a lot of times, those guys, their stride builds up as they get going—in particular when he's running across the field. He can pretty much separate and run away from anybody, regardless of what the 40 time says."
Quarterback Bryce Young then talked about McMillan's spectacular catch.
"Yeah, that was a great job of him going and tracking the ball," Young stated. "It was great coverage, and that's the league. It's gonna be a lot of great corners out there, a lot of contested catches. It was a great job by T-Mac understanding leverage, fighting pressure with pressure, fading out at the last moment."
McMillan also notched a few more impressive grabs, putting a stamp on what was his best showing of the summer.
Still hunting
McMillan wasn't the only receiver who shined on Monday. Veteran Hunter Renfrow also turned heads, continuing his standout offseason with another strong day.
Renfrow, however, knows his journey to the initial 53-man roster is far from over. The former Pro Bowler praised his fellow wideouts.
"We have a bunch of different personalities, bunch of different ages. But amazing," he said. "I think we have a really good group, I think we have a really talented group. It's the deepest I've ever been around. We have seven or eight guys that can comfortably go out there and play and a lot of young guys that are proving they can.
"And so, it just pushes you. It pushes you every day. I think the Bible talks about iron sharpening iron—and that's what it is. And hopefully, we can do that every day and then the other people we have out there can see that and be inspired from that and make every day the best we can."
Canales, who lauded Renfrow for his work again on Monday, did not rule out using the 29-year-old as a returner moving forward.
Top observations
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