After the Carolina Panthers starters played very sparingly last preseason, head coach Dave Canales took a different route this time around. The first string played two series in the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns, and Canales shared that they would play three series against the Houston Texans.
Thursday’s joint practice yielded some impressive results on both sides of the ball but Carolina was without cornerback Jaycee Horn, receiver Jalen Coker, and lost rookie edge Nic Scourton early in practice due to heat exposure. On Saturday, the Panthers offense stalled, yielding negative yardage in starter Bryce Young’s two series before Andy Dalton came in on the third possession. Run defense and pass rush was suspect as CJ Stroud and the Texans offense marched down the field, scoring on a 5-yard Nico Collins reception in the second series.
Dalton’s playing time was cut short with an injury to his right elbow in his first and only series. The veteran was targeting rookie Tetairoa McMillan when he was hit on his throwing elbow causing the ball to sail incomplete. A few defensive starters played into the second quarter but did not yield any more favorable results. Carolina’s only points of the first half  came on a 52-yard field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald in the second quarter.
The Panthers close out the preseason at home on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
