After cooling down in a walkthrough on Friday, the Carolina Panthers got back to some real on-field action this morning.

Here are the top takeaways and observations from Saturday’s session of training camp . . .

Derrick Brown is getting there

Defensive lineman Derrick Brown was absent from the few first days of camp due to personal reasons. Turns out, the personal reason was the birth of his fourth child.

Now that he’s back, Brown is ready to take on new life for 2025 after sustaining a season-ending knee injury in 2024. He was asked if he’s close to 100 percent yet.

“I feel like it. Gimme a few weeks, I feel like it,” Brown replied. “Right now, they got a great plan in place, just gettin’ back in shape. Being able to transition back into being able to play the plays I’ve played before and be there for the team. I expressed my opinion to them and they’ve been nothing but compliant on when it came to that.”

Head coach Dave Canales also offered an outlook on Brown.

“We’re gonna just kinda ramp him up each day and just kinda give him a little bit more, dose him a little bit higher,” Canales told reporters. “He’s gotta be ready to play Week 1, so we’ll continue to grow the capacity in practice as we go.”

Hunting down a spot

Canales also talked about veteran wideout Hunter Renfrow, who had himself quite a day on the practice field. He said that the former Pro Bowler has looked “great,” then explained why.

“It’s just the Hunter Renfrow I remember,” Canales stated. “He looks healthy. I think everyone who’s watched football over the last four or five years remembers what he looks like, and he’s really playing in top form right now. I’m really excited to have him here and to have his family, which is right down the road here after this practice, just to be able to connect with him. And it’s a great story that’s unfolding right before our eyes.”

Renfrow missed the 2024 season due to ulcerative colitis. He signed with Carolina shortly following the 2025 NFL draft.

A bigger role for a slimmer Sanders

Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders said he’s feeling more confident as a pro, both on and off the field, entering Year No. 2. Part of that confidence stems from some newfound speed, thanks to his offseason weight loss.

“I was probably like 255 [pounds] last year, like 238 right now,” Sanders stated. “So definitely moving faster. Being able to get in and out my breaks better as well.”

Sanders will have to step up this summer in the absence of starter Tommy Tremble, who is currently on the active/physically unable to perform list as he recovers from back surgery.

Top observations

Tetairoa McMillan with the nice catch from Bryce Young; then Ja’Tavion Sanders route. Dave Canales hanging out with the QBs and receivers right now. pic.twitter.com/qhqzMeMAyi

— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2025

One on one coverage drills against Jimmy Horn look unfair. He’s beating fellow rookies by four or five yards. Latest victim is Trevian Thomas. Horn jokingly jogs to the end zone and dose a tumble dive. Funny stuff. #Panthers

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 26, 2025

Nice off-platform throw by Bryce Young to a crossing Xavier Legette in team.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 26, 2025

Bryce Young first two 11s series:
-Pass deflected at LOS
-Chuba run middle
-Rico run left
-Bubble route to H Renfrow

Then:
-Run left Chuba
-Young bootleg, shakes a defender in backfield, finds Xavier Legette on a crossing route, great completion
-Rico run right

— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2025

Jimmy Horn Jr is zooming by everybody on punt return.

— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) July 26, 2025

Andy Dalton to Hunter Renfrow is alive and well today. Latest was a corner route completion to 11s. The 2021 Pro Bowl receiver is having himself a day.

— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 26, 2025

Matthew Wright goes 3-5 on the skinny posts.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) July 26, 2025

Red Zone: Derrick Brown looks GOOD and quick – brace and all. #Panthers

— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) July 26, 2025

Trevor Etienne beat two DBs for a nice catch in the end zone off a RZ throw from Dalton. It was a dime toss. #Panthee

— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) July 26, 2025

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