The Carolina Panthers put on the pads today for the first time and things started getting real. After starting the first 11-on-11 session with an incompletion and an interception, No. draft pick and Week One starting quarterback Bryce Young went 3-for-3 to close out the session. Next up was 7-on-7 and Young threaded the needle on back to back completions in traffic to wide receiver Laviska Shenault and tight end Hayden Hurst. He closed out the session hitting receiver DJ Chark deep left with safety Jeremy Chinn in coverage. Young got another crack at 11-on-11 and went 3-of-3 showing excellent pocket awareness and poise in completing a 20-yard pass to receiver Adam Thielen.
Also of note, there had been talk of using Shenault in a Deebo Samuels-type role and he was impressive coming out of the backfield in today’s practice. This is interesting because that wide receiver room is pretty crowded so however Shenault can get his touches as he approaches a contract year; he should. Speaking of the backfield, Miles Sanders has looked strong, as expected. There seems to be a battle for RB2 brewing between Raheem Blackshear and Chuba Hubbard. Blackshear’s  pass-catching ability gives him the edge at this time.
Cornerback CJ Henderson tweaked his groin during practice, but the severity is unknown at this time. The Panthers are back at it Tuesday morning at 10:15am.
