Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 7

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After a successful edition of Fan Fest on Friday and a much-needed two-day break, the Carolina Panthers returned to the practice field this morning.

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Here are our top takeaways and observations from the team's latest session of training camp . . .

Bob and Rob

Prior to today's whistles, the Panthers activated defensive lineman Bobby Brown III from the non-football injury list. The 25-year-old defender sustained a hamstring injury while working out before camp and missed the first handful of summer sessions.

Brown had a relatively disappointing 2025 campaign—his first of a three-year, $21 million pact with Carolina. He started in five of his 17 regular-season outings.

Starting right guard Robert Hunt also returned after being sidelined with back tightness.

'Cali-to-Cali Connection' keeps connecting

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan might've been the star of Monday's workout, one he ended with an eye-catching (and, obviously, ball-catching) one-handed grab.

Head coach Dave Canales was asked about McMillan's chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young as the duo enters their second season together.

"It's just about time on task, it's about opportunities," Canales replied. "And I really love that Bryce has been giving him opportunities down the field. Just really trying to stretch it—some of the vertical concepts that we have.

"T-Mac does a great job of holding the defender off, playing it at the high point. He feels strong, he looks great. So I love seeing those plays. Those are game-changing plays."

Canales also praised Young for the growth he's exhibited ahead of his fourth pro campaign.

"Yeah, I'm just really excited. The special plays still show up every day," he stated of Young. "Moving off the spot, pushing up in the pocket, layering balls, all the accuracy.

"The part that I've really been impressed with this camp is just the chemistry with our receivers, time on task with Jalen Coker, T-Mac, Xavier Legette, JT [Ja'Tavion] Sanders and the tight end group that have been around for a while.

"And now, it just seems like he's playing so much faster. It seems he's eliminating things before the snap. On his drop, he's starting to eliminate and evaluate things and throwing really anticipatory throws."

Preseason plans

The NFL's 2026 preseason will kick off on Thursday night, when the Panthers and Arizona Cardinals face off in the Hall of Fame Game from Canton, Ohio. And, as expected, Carolina won't be rolling out their starters.

Canales confirmed that quarterback Kenny Pickett, Young's backup, will begin the outing.

"For how long? I'm not sure," Canales said of Pickett's projected start. "But we have a good number of guys that'll be helping out early in the game—just because we don't wanna overload any one particular group on our team. We do have practices leading into the game and we do have practices coming out of it."

Pickett should, barring an unforeseen addition under center, eventually be relieved by undrafted rookie Haynes King at some point in the opener.

Top observations

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 training camp tracker: Top takeaways and observations from Day 7

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