In a recent interview ahead of the Carolina Panthers preseason finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers, head coach Dave Canales revealed the latest on several key players. From rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillian’s hamstring setback to Jaycee Horn’s encouraging return, Canales outlined where things stand as Carolina balances health, fundamentals, and roster evaluations with the regular season just weeks away.
Jaycee Horn Trending Up, McMillian Faces Setback
GettyJaycee Horn, the Carolina Panthers cornerback, recently sustained a hand injury in a car accident, requiring stitches.
The most encouraging news came on the defensive side. Horn, who has battled injuries throughout his young career, is back in action. “He did [get his stitches out],” Canales confirmed, signaling the corner is on track to be ready when the games count. That’s a major boost for a defense that leaned heavily on Horn’s presence when he was available in 2023.
On offense, however, Canales struck a more cautious tone regarding McMillian. The rookie receiver has been one of the most buzzworthy names in camp, drawing praise for his route polish and toughness. But a sore hamstring has slowed his progress. “Imaging looked fine, but he’s just kind of all stoved up… He may not play on Thursday,” Canales explained.
That update matters more than just for one preseason game. With Adam Thielen entering his age 35 season and Jonathan Mingo still inconsistent, McMillian will play a big part in the offense. And his health could affect how quickly Bryce Young can reach his potential.
Trenches Tested: Defensive Line and Depth Questions
GettyCarolina Panthers defensive line ‘struggling to stay healthy.
Veteran DE Labryan Ray remains week to week with an ankle injury, forcing young linemen to shoulder bigger roles. “Definitely right now for this stage of camp, like concerning,” Canales admitted, before crediting players like Jaden Crumedy, Sam Roberts, and Jared Harrison-Hunte for stepping up.
OLB DJ Johnson and NT Bobby Brown were held out of practice, though the hope is to return them quickly. Rookie linebacker Nic Scourton meanwhile, has rebounded faster than expected after a health scare. “Huge improvement… he was actually running today,” Canales said, noting that Scourton won’t play this week but is firmly trending upward.
The overarching theme of Canales’ update wasn’t panic over injuries, but rather urgency to sharpen fundamentals before Week 1. “Almost is not going to be good enough in the NFL,” he said. “Coach it hard… it gives me an opportunity to really be nitpicky about the things that I know are going to be critical when we go into regular season play.”
With Jaycee Horn trending in the right direction, Tetairoa McMillian’s status worth monitoring, and the trenches under pressure to hold up, the Panthers enter September with more questions than answers. Health alone won’t solve everything, but it drives the roster more than anything, especially for a team often defined by who sits off the field.
If Carolina can combine better availability with Dave Canales’ detail driven approach, the foundation for a bounce back season may already be in place.
Dave Canales Reveals Status of Panthers’ Tetairoa McMillian, Jaycee Horn and More