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Thursday afternoon was set to play host to the Carolina Panthers' third and final session of their 2026 mandatory minicamp. But given the sweltering conditions and hard work put in from the first two outings, head coach Dave Canales cut the program short—cancelling the last practice this morning.
But despite getting just two-thirds of their sessions in, the Panthers gave us a handful of interesting nuggets heading into the summer break.
Here are our four biggest takeaways from this year's minicamp . . .
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu sustained a torn patellar tendon back in January, on just the second offensive series of the team's wild-card round game against the Los Angeles Rams. While spirits have been high during the recovery process, the Panthers have avoided putting a timeline on Ekwonu's return.
Canales, however, did acknowledge that the former first-round pick is expected to be back at some point in 2026.
"He's crushing it, week in and week out. He's excited about it," he said of Ekwonu on Tuesday. "The athletic trainers are excited about his progress right now. They're just continuing to progress him with different types of movement—forward movement, a little bit of lateral movement and just continuing to see how they can push the envelope a little bit, but in a smart way.
While Ekwonu is away, veteran free-agent addition Rasheed Walker and 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling are expected to battle for the starting duties on the blindside.
Second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan had been slowed, both in organized team activities and in minicamp, by a minor foot injury. The reigning AP Offensive Rookie of Year was able to participate in individual work on Tuesday, but was held out of team drills and was given a rest on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the Panthers—according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer—expect McMillan to healthy enough for training camp in late July. McMillan certainly hopes that's the case.
"I want to be," he said on being ready for camp. "I'm good right now. So, shoot, I should be able to be there."
McMillan also told reporters that he added 17 pounds of muscle in the offseason, with designs of getting back to his playing weight from college.
Fellow first-round pick and receiver Xavier Legette didn't have as memorable of a 2025 as McMillan. His issues with drops and spacial awareness eventually lost him playing time, as he saw his snap count gradually decrease down the season's final stretch.
He said on Thursday that his results for 2026 must be better.
Between the struggles from his first two years and the excitement building around 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II, Legette might be fighting for a role on offense. Canales addressed the noting that Legette is facing a make-or-break season, and backed the 25-year-old.
"I think it's a make-or-break year for all of us, every year. And Xavier has worked that way," Canales stated. "From the minute he's gotten here, he's 100 miles an hour. He's putting in the time in the playbook, he's busting his butt on the field, working on little technical skills.
"We had great meetings going out of the season, great meetings when he came back in April. Talked about his plan and the things he's working on and all that. He's just aware of all the things he needs to continue to improve upon to be the player that we know he can be, and that he knows he can be."
Carolina's primary slot defenders got a bit of attention.
Second-year standout Corey Thornton, who impressed as a rookie in 2025, received some praise from Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn.
"He's been the same player," Horn stated. "I think he's getting a little smarter, just getting — anytime you're in the defense, the second time around, you're going to understand it better and know where you're helping and know how to play certain downs differently... he's handling it all well, so I think he's just been the same guy he's always been, just getting better."
Thornton had that rookie campaign cut short due to a broken fibula he sustained in Week 12. Canales told reporters last month that Thornton won the job as the nickel prior to his setback.
2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade, the defense's primary slot defender from last season, was seen taking snaps at the safety position this week. Canales spoke on his versatility.
"Chau is such a cerebral player," he said. "He's a guy we really trust and someone we've trained with our first draft class, and he gives us versatility. He can play the nickel. He's played the safety for us in that position, and to be interchangeable with those positions, you can give different looks. He can also play outside, so he brings a lot to the table, and it's a really competitive DB room.
"And we love that we love that it's bringing out the best in these guys, and the more the guys can bring value and have versatility, it's going to help Chau as we get further and further into camp."
The Panthers added some much-needed depth to the secondary this offseason, most notably with their Day 3 picks in cornerback Will Lee III and safety Zakee Wheatley.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 mandatory minicamp: 4 biggest takeaways from practice
Continue reading...
But despite getting just two-thirds of their sessions in, the Panthers gave us a handful of interesting nuggets heading into the summer break.
Here are our four biggest takeaways from this year's minicamp . . .
Ickey will be back
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu sustained a torn patellar tendon back in January, on just the second offensive series of the team's wild-card round game against the Los Angeles Rams. While spirits have been high during the recovery process, the Panthers have avoided putting a timeline on Ekwonu's return.
Canales, however, did acknowledge that the former first-round pick is expected to be back at some point in 2026.
"He's crushing it, week in and week out. He's excited about it," he said of Ekwonu on Tuesday. "The athletic trainers are excited about his progress right now. They're just continuing to progress him with different types of movement—forward movement, a little bit of lateral movement and just continuing to see how they can push the envelope a little bit, but in a smart way.
While Ekwonu is away, veteran free-agent addition Rasheed Walker and 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling are expected to battle for the starting duties on the blindside.
T-Mac's foot . . . and muscles
Second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan had been slowed, both in organized team activities and in minicamp, by a minor foot injury. The reigning AP Offensive Rookie of Year was able to participate in individual work on Tuesday, but was held out of team drills and was given a rest on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, the Panthers—according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer—expect McMillan to healthy enough for training camp in late July. McMillan certainly hopes that's the case.
"I want to be," he said on being ready for camp. "I'm good right now. So, shoot, I should be able to be there."
McMillan also told reporters that he added 17 pounds of muscle in the offseason, with designs of getting back to his playing weight from college.
Legette's make-or-break
Fellow first-round pick and receiver Xavier Legette didn't have as memorable of a 2025 as McMillan. His issues with drops and spacial awareness eventually lost him playing time, as he saw his snap count gradually decrease down the season's final stretch.
He said on Thursday that his results for 2026 must be better.
Between the struggles from his first two years and the excitement building around 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II, Legette might be fighting for a role on offense. Canales addressed the noting that Legette is facing a make-or-break season, and backed the 25-year-old.
"I think it's a make-or-break year for all of us, every year. And Xavier has worked that way," Canales stated. "From the minute he's gotten here, he's 100 miles an hour. He's putting in the time in the playbook, he's busting his butt on the field, working on little technical skills.
"We had great meetings going out of the season, great meetings when he came back in April. Talked about his plan and the things he's working on and all that. He's just aware of all the things he needs to continue to improve upon to be the player that we know he can be, and that he knows he can be."
Shaping up the secondary
Carolina's primary slot defenders got a bit of attention.
Second-year standout Corey Thornton, who impressed as a rookie in 2025, received some praise from Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn.
"He's been the same player," Horn stated. "I think he's getting a little smarter, just getting — anytime you're in the defense, the second time around, you're going to understand it better and know where you're helping and know how to play certain downs differently... he's handling it all well, so I think he's just been the same guy he's always been, just getting better."
Thornton had that rookie campaign cut short due to a broken fibula he sustained in Week 12. Canales told reporters last month that Thornton won the job as the nickel prior to his setback.
2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade, the defense's primary slot defender from last season, was seen taking snaps at the safety position this week. Canales spoke on his versatility.
"Chau is such a cerebral player," he said. "He's a guy we really trust and someone we've trained with our first draft class, and he gives us versatility. He can play the nickel. He's played the safety for us in that position, and to be interchangeable with those positions, you can give different looks. He can also play outside, so he brings a lot to the table, and it's a really competitive DB room.
"And we love that we love that it's bringing out the best in these guys, and the more the guys can bring value and have versatility, it's going to help Chau as we get further and further into camp."
The Panthers added some much-needed depth to the secondary this offseason, most notably with their Day 3 picks in cornerback Will Lee III and safety Zakee Wheatley.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 mandatory minicamp: 4 biggest takeaways from practice
Continue reading...
