The Good and Not So Good From Wednesday's Panthers Camp: Bryce Young's Down Day

The Carolina Panthers wrapped another day of training camp practice on Wednesday after a day off on Tuesday. It was, like all camp days, a day full of good things and bad things. The team continues to work through everything ahead of their preseason matchup with the Buffalo Bills this weekend.

Good: Mitchell Evans making plays

Evans with another nice catch in tight coverage by Nick Scott. https://t.co/ViItF2rFSs
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 12, 2026

Ja'Tavion Sanders, currently TE3, said that any of the three could be TE1 at any point. Well, Mitchell Evans seems to be confirming that. He is TE2, but he had a really excellent day with a few outstanding highlight-reel catches. He's making a strong case to get more playing time. He had a solid but quiet rookie year, and he could be pushing for a sophomore leap instead of slump.

Not so good: Down Bryce Young day

Jalen Coker v Jaycee Horn. pic.twitter.com/xisLO7kWfp
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 12, 2026

Bryce Young has had an outstanding training camp. Full stop. And today, he was far from awful, but it was a down day for him. He went a little viral for an abysmal missed throw in one-on-one drills, where Jalen Coker beat Jaycee Horn, and Young's throw was nowhere close. He was decent in team drills, but nothing that helped make up for an alarming misfire.

Good: Physical intensity with no fights

Lathan Ransom just laid out Ja’seem Reed in team pass. Reed is on his feet thankfully.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 12, 2026

We've covered at times how the training camp fights can be good, as they showcase the intensity needed to win football games. But fights every day are not good, and fortunately, the Panthers managed to keep up the intensity today without it boiling over. Lathan Ransom continues to play really hard, but this time, it didn't lead to a skirmish. That kind of intensity is great, but it can't lead to fights all the time.

Not so good: Damien Lewis' health

#Panthers head coach Dave Canales says that OLB Pat Jones was out with an illness and that G Damien Lewis returned to the first part of practice today (but was held out of team drills today).

Later, re: Lewis: “I don’t think he’ll play” in the preseason game Saturday. pic.twitter.com/bLicMWBxZj
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) August 12, 2026

The Panthers need Damien Lewis healthy. Badly. For starters, he's amazing, but the offensive line has already suffered enough. Fortunately, he returned to practice. Unfortunately, he was still held out of a lot and likely won't play this weekend. He needs to get healthy and develop chemistry with his new teammates up front.

Good: Monroe Freeling

Another one. Joe Gilbert clearly likes what he’s seeing. https://t.co/vnlsVg91bp
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 12, 2026

We can still expect some growing pains, but so far, it's been a good training camp for Monroe Freeling. Thrust into a starting spot on the right side instead of the left, Freeling has responded well, and he's gotten better as camp has gone on. Today, he did really well against Jaelan Phillips, the vaunted $120 million man.

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