The heat is on for the Carolina Panthers this week . . . but in a more literal sense.

Thursday’s joint practice with the Houston Texans was a hot one, as both teams powered through some sweltering conditions to get their work in. That sweat-filled session has helped set the stage for their preseason matchup on Saturday, where we’ll be keeping an eye on a handful of potentially interesting developments.

Here are four things to watch for in this weekend’s exhibition contest between the Panthers and Texans . . .

First team, Take Two

Carolina’s starters, particularly on offense, offered up a solid showing in their preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns last Friday.

Bryce Young, one of the best quarterbacks Houston’s C.J. Stroud has ever seen in his life, lived up to that billing—completing four of his six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. Two of those completions and 43 of those yards found 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, who wowed with his impressive 30-yard reception on the first play of the team’s second possession.

Not as impressive was 2024’s first-round pick Xavier Legette, who was ejected for engaging in a bout of fisticuffs with Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins. Legette probably wants to punch back into the picture after having himself a stellar practice against the Texans on Thursday.

So can the offensive starters, who may see as many as three drives, keep it rolling? And can Legette factor in following a disappointing preseason debut?

Taking the bulls by the horns

As for the other starting half, we’ll be focusing in on the pass rush—which should have a number of opportunities to get home.

Houston’s offensive line may very well be the worst in the NFL. An already shaky unit from 2024 lost the likes of left tackle Laremy Tunsil and right guard Shaq Mason and now, in 2025, appear much weaker on paper.

Carolina’s pass rush was also unreliable last season, where they mustered up a league-low 15.2-percent pressure rate. Veteran starters D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II are projected to lead the charge this year, and could ignite a charge on Saturday afternoon.

2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton, who had himself a phenomenal performance versus Cleveland in Week 1, is certainly worth a featured look as well. Hopefully, the rookie will be able to suit up after being carted away from Thursday’s outing due to heat-related symptoms.

All the way back?

That charge could include defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who might finally be back in the lineup for his preseason debut.

Brown went down after 2024’s regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints, as a knee injury kept him out of the team’s remaining 16 games. His absence contributed to what ended up being a historically bad defense, which allowed an NFL-record 534 points and a league-high (by a country mile) 179.8 rushing yards per contest.

Mind you, this came the season after Brown set a new single-season record for tackles by a defensive lineman (103) en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

If Brown is back, then we’ll get a sneak peek of what this revamped front could look like.

Kickin’ it

The biggest training camp battle for Carolina came to an end on Monday, when head coach Dave Canales named Austin Corbett the starting center over Cade Mays. But there are still a few competitions left, including the one at kicker.

As of now, the veteran journeyman Matthew Wright seems to have the lead over undrafted rookie Ryan Fitzgerald. Not only has Wright been listed as the No. 1 boot on both of the team’s first two depth charts, but he’s also been more consistent in recent practices.

Both converted on their lone tries in the preseason opener, with Wright making an extra point in the first quarter and Fitzgerald a 32-yard field goal in the fourth. So as far as the in-game results go, we’re close.

Saturday, however, could present an opportunity for Wright to put this baby away or for Fitzgerald to make a push.

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