CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers’ Jalen Coker caught a pass and absorbed a hit during Tuesday’s training camp practice finale. Certainly not an unusual play, but as safety Tre’von Moehrig stepped over the prone receiver, the move triggered a mid-field melee.
Feeling disrespected, cornerback Jaycee Horn went after left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and the sides converged at midfield, offense versus defense.
After looking lackluster, at times, during an 0-2 preseason start, Canales said he content to witness the on-field passion. He would like it better channeled, certainly, but the players apparently accepted his pre-practice challenge.
Canales could have created too much urgency in his messaging.
“May have pushed the guys a little bit too hard in the team meeting (Tuesday) morning,” Canales said during a press conference. “They just kind of were in a competitive moment and the tempers flared.
“We try to push the guys to the edge. We went a little bit over. But at the same time, that’s the edginess we have to play with when we have these opportunities, we have to be able to play a physical style of football and, you know, sometimes it goes a little too far.”
The Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium in Thursday night’s preseason finale. Few starters will dress. It will promote a showcase for the roster’s fringe players.
Returning to practice Tuesday after being sidelined with stitches in his left hand following an automobile accident a few weeks ago, Horn attempted to land the punch with his right hand.
“This is like the dog days of camp,” Canales said. “The last one in pads. They took it, they crescendoed to a place that I want our football to be and we have to be comfortable operating there.”
The intensity and chirping continued after practice. Finally, Canales said running back Chuba Hubbard stepped up and said: “At the end of the day, we’re all family. It’s going to get heated like this sometimes, but we’ve got to move forward together.”
#Panthers WR Jalen Coker responds to Tuesday’s #NFL training camp scuffle …… pic.twitter.com/An00ZK49ef
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 19, 2025
Dave Canales, Ejiro Evero To Call Plays Vs. Steelers
In the opening two games of the preseason, Canales focused on developing his staff, rewarding offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley and linebackers coach Pete Hansen with play-calling responsibilities.
“I mean it may seem weird to people,” Canales said. “You’re not playing the starters, but you’re calling it, but again it’s for he and I to just continue to find the sequence of winning a game, of striving, of making adjustments and utilizing the new information that the guys have.
“For me, just the added value for Brad to feel what that feels like, to know here’s when that information is appropriate, here’s how to sequence these. These are the things running through his mind as he’s developing this game, as the game’s kind of coming to us.
“(Game-time information) just comes out of a different set of eyes when you get to experience (play calling).”
With Bryce Young and Andy Dalton ruled out, Canales said Jack Plummer and newcomer Bryce Perkins will handle the quarterbacking chores versus the Steelers.
With #Panthers No.1 QB Bryce Young sitting Thursday night, can No. 3 Jack Plummer (16) and new No. 4 Bryce Perkins (10) pick up the struggling offense in #NFL preseason finale vs visiting #Steelers ? … pic.twitter.com/KvSkN9M5Kx
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) August 19, 2025
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