CAROLINA PANTHERS


Bryce Perkins, a late addition to the Carolina Panthers preseason roster, appreciates having a chance to return to the NFL. He earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad in 2022.

The previous four days were a blur to new Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins. 

Signed Monday morning, Perkins tried to spark a struggling preseason offense.  The reigning UFL MVP and offensive player of the year suggested he “wanted to do more.” Coach Dave Canales also wanted more, but the Panthers lost 19-10, to the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday at Bank of America Stadium. 

“Let’s score some points,” Canales said. “Let’s finish more in the red zone; the turnovers were not up to our standards. We’ll work on that and clean that up.  

“We moved the ball, but we’ve got to finish.” 

With NFL cutdown day approaching Tuesday when teams trim their 90-man rosters to 53, the preseason finale was the last big opportunity for fringe players to make an impression.  
Perkins was one of those players. 

The former Virginia standout had two days of practice and Wednesday’s walk-through to prepare for his second chance at landing an NFL gig.  

“The last week has felt like a month,” said Perkins, who earned a 2022 Super Bowl ring as a Los Angeles Rams’ practice squad player. “It’s been fun. It’s been a blessing. I’m so grateful these guys gave me an opportunity. Whether it was for one half, I don’t take those things for granted.  A couple of years ago, I thought I was done playing football. It’s been fun getting back into an NFL locker room, and it’s been a crash course in learning. 

“Take another foot on the field. To get a shot, I was able to do that in the UFL and now, you never know. Second time around, you let the chips fall where they may.” 

Panthers seeking offensive rhythm 

Among the 33 inactive players Thursday, starting quarterback Bryce Young and top backup Andy Dalton did not dress, leaving No. 3 quarterback Jack Plummer and Perkins with an opportunity to help the offense discover some rhythm. 

The Panthers entered Thursday last in preseason scoring, averaging just 6.5 points.  

Wide receiver Jalen Coker was not concerned. 

“I think we’re going to play our brand of football,” he said Tuesday. “We’re going to have Jack out there and me and the receivers are going to have to make plays when they come to us. It starts with running the ball.” 

There have been other offensive concerns. 

The Panthers also ranked No. 32 in preseason rushing, producing just 118 rushing yards during the two losses in which they were outscored 50-13. 

“We just have to keep playing our game,” running back Raheem Blackshear said. “Everything is going to shake out. Everybody can be a playmaker. We’re going to be good.” 

On the Panthers’ first possession Thursday, Plummer guided the Panthers to an eight-play, 52-yard scoring drive, aided by Cameron Johnston’s unnecessary roughness penalty.  

Rookie running back Trevor Etienne created a rare big preseason play, scampering 28 yards, the second-longest during the exhibition season. 

The Panthers settled for a field goal. 

Plummer hit James Mitchell on a 7-yard pass with 17 seconds to play in the first half for the Panthers’ first touchdown since the 3:36 mark of the first quarter of the opener against Cleveland for a 10-7 advantage.  


Perkins opened the second half, but after engineering two first downs, the drive stopped after Perkins was sacked and fumbled. He recovered, but lost the ball again, resulting in a turnover. 

The Steelers took the lead for good after converting a field goal on their next possession at 13-10 with 5:07 left in the third quarter.  

Did time run out on Perkins’ second chance? 

Bryce Perkins: ‘Wanted to do more’ 

On Tuesday, before the final training camp practice in pads, players who arrived early started going through stretchers. When Perkins strolled by, Canales offered him a spot next to where he was standing.

“Hey, there’s a spot right here,” Canales recalled.  

They started chatting. The conversation naturally veered to Perkins’ experience leading the Michigan Panthers to the UFL title game in the spring. Perkins spoke of the passion minor league players possessed to keep going. 

Canales choked up. 

“The one thing I learned playing in the UFL is the guys are playing for the love of the game,” Canales said. “It’s about passion, it’s about opporunity and it’s about proving something to themsleves that they can do this. 

“When the NFL says no, do you just go home, or do you find another place to play football?  I got chills hearing that. That’s it right there. That’s the mentality.  

“Guys here can take it for granted. These are the best days of our lives. We are living a dream to be able to do this. It was a really cool conversation.” 

Perkins tried to let his play do the talking Thursday, completing 10 of 11 passes for 71 yards. He fumbled twice on the same play, losing the second. 

“I wanted to do more,” Perkins said afterward, “but I’m blessed for every opportunity.”   

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