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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Biggest takeaways from the start of Panthers' 2025 OTAs
The Carolina Panthers seemingly got what they wanted out of the first session of team organized activities this afternoon. In fact, head coach Dave Canales went as far as describing the outing as a "great day." We also, even in this lighter stage of the offseason, learned quite a few interesting things about the current state of the squad. Advertisement Here are the biggest takeaways from the start of this year's OTAs . . . The recovery of Derrick Brown moves along Eight months after undergoing season-ending meniscus surgery, defensive lineman Derrick Brown appeared on the practice field with his helmet in hand. And although he did not end up participating in team drills, the Pro Bowler's presence feels like a positive sign moving forward. Brown talked about his recovery last month. "Just doing what the doctors and the trainers are allowing me to do at this point. No rush," he said back on Apr. 23. "Just trying to get back and I would like to be able to be there when the team gets ready to play in September. So I'm following the protocol as is." Carolina's young tight ends will have to step up Unlike Brown, tight end Tommy Tremble probably isn't planning on being ready for September. Advertisement Canales revealed that Tremble, who signed a new two-year deal this spring, recently underwent back surgery. "Tommy did have surgery on his back last week, a successful surgery," Canales stated. "We were kinda thinking about it, talking about it, looking at timelines and all that and just felt like for him . . . he's 25 years old. Let's get this thing while he's young and strong and be able to get him back on the right track. So we just decided to do that now, looking forward." A team spokesperson later added that Tremble is expected to be rehabbing by the time training camp rolls around, putting his early-season availability into considerable doubt. If Tremble is not good to go by Week 1, the Panthers may be looking for something extra out 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2025 fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans. Hunter Renfrow continues his comeback Canales also spoke about veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who hasn't played an NFL down since 2023. Advertisement "You see weekly, he just makes these huge strides, just getting his feet under him," Canales stated. "And I can tell too, just having coached wide receivers especially, but he's got a lot in his game. Releases, top-of-the-route setup, avoidance, different things where he can double up stuff at the top of his routes. Renfrow, 29, missed the entire 2024 campaign due to a battle with ulcerative colitis. The Panthers signed the Myrtle Beach, S.C. native and Clemson University product in late April. Xavier Legette looks to bounce back Wideout Xavier Legette didn't have the finest stretches to end his rookie campaign. But with one season of NFL ball under Legette's belt and a fellow first-round receiver now by his side, Canales is hoping for a leap out of the second-year pass catcher. Advertisement "What I see is a year into the system," Canales stated. "Just the speed that he's playing with now, with the level of comfort he has with what we're doing. When I see him smiling, I know he's in a good space. And he really has just been enjoying this offseason. Working hard. He looks big and fast. "And I think with TMac [Tetairoa McMillan] coming into the room, again, it's just options," Canales later added. "It opens things up, it creates a little bit of balance—where the field doesn't tilt one way or the other. So you have two guys who can make it happen outside and that's a good thing." After taking Legette with the 32nd overall pick in 2024, the Panthers nabbed McMillan with this year's eighth overall pick. Locking horns in Houston The Panthers, as they'd hoped, were able to set up a joint practice with the Houston Texans for later this summer. That workout will come before the teams face off in the second week of the preseason at NRG Stadium on Aug. 16. Advertisement Carolina also has a joint practice slated with the Cleveland Browns, their first opponent for exhibition play. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content. This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2025 OTAs: Biggest takeaways from Day 1
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Panthers get a huge presence back on the practice field to start OTAs
Panthers get a huge presence back on the practice field to start OTAs The Carolina Panthers got a big presence back on the practice field this afternoon. Defensive lineman Derrick Brown was not only in attendance for the start or organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, but he was seemingly ready and willing to work. While the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder did not end up participating in team drills during the outing, he did show up with his helmet in hand . . . Brown sustained a knee injury in Carolina's regular-season opener this past year. The setback sent the Pro Bowl defender under the knife for meniscus surgery and sidelined him for the remaining 16 games of the campaign. The fifth-year veteran, a little over month ago, told reporters that he's hoping to be ready by the time Week 1 rolls around. "Yeah, I'm here with the team right now, participating," Brown stated on Apr. 23. "Just doing what the doctors and the trainers are allowing me to do at this point. No rush. Just trying to get back and I would like to be able to be there when the team gets ready to play in September. So I'm following the protocol as is." Carolina's defense, which allowed the most points in a single season, really missed Brown in 2024. In addition to that dubious honor, the Panthers also relinquished a whopping 179.8 rushing yards per contest—nearly 40 more yards than the next closest unit. The season prior saw Brown earn his first career Pro Bowl selection after amassing 103 combined tackles—the most ever by an NFL defensive lineman. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
NBC Sports
23-04-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Derrick Brown: No rush returning from knee injury, want to be ready for September
Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown didn't make it past Week One in 2024 and he hopes to be back to speed for Week One of this year. Brown tore the meniscus in his knee during Carolina's season-opening loss to the Saints and said on Wednesday that he's still not sure exactly when in the game he suffered the injury. That answer is unlikely to come now, but the more important question for the Panthers is how Brown is faring for the 2025 season. Brown said he got cleared to kick his rehab into high gear early this year and that he's planning to do whatever it takes to make sure he's ready to go at the start of the regular season. 'I'm here with the team right now, participating,' Brown said. 'Just doing what the doctors and the trainers are allowing me to do at this point. No rush, so just trying to get back. I would like to be able to be there when the team gets ready to play in September, so I'm following the protocol as is.' Losing Brown contributed to a defense that wound up giving up the most points in a single-season in NFL history and getting him back would be a good step toward better results this time.
