- WR Kelvin Benjamin:
Practiced for the first time in 344 days. Benjamin appeared just as dominant as he did before he tore his ACL on adjacent field at Wofford last summer, using his body to shield defenders while making catches over the middle.
"It could be a good harbinger for us seeing Kelvin maybe not at top form but pretty doggone good form," coach Ron Rivera said. "He’s still got a ways to go to get back in game shape, but it was really good to see him move around like that."
- WR Stephen Hill:
Practiced for the first time in 363 days. Hill didn't see much if any snaps with the 1s, but he hauled in a prayer from QB Joe Webb for the longest play of the night.
"[Hill's] gaining confidence and strength in that knee," Rivera said. "It also speaks to what we talk about, that's it hard to defend big bodies."
- WR Tobias Palmer:
Did not practice after his Achilles tightened up after Wednesday's conditioning drills.
- DT Star Lotulelei:
Was limited with hamstring tightness.
"We just thought it would be better if we kept him on the sideline for a day or two," Rivera said. "He passed the running test, but afterwards he tightened up, and we were concerned about that."
- LB Luke Kuechly:
Practiced in full for the first time since he underwent offseason shoulder surgery. He drew a big cheer from the crowd when he batted down a pass from QB Cam Newton on the second play of team drills.
"A couple of guys said, ‘How does he do it?’ The first couple of plays, he’s out there making plays," Rivera said. "That’s just who he is."
- CBs James Bradberry and Daryl Worley:
Lined up as "starters." Bradberry, had a shot to pick off Newton early, but he couldn't hang onto the ball after it bounced off WR Brenton Bersin. Bradberry was in coverage on at least two receptions by WR Devin Funchess, and Worley was beaten a couple times by Benjamin.
- CB Zack Sanchez:
Made the best defensive play of the night when he intercepted a pass from QB Derek Anderson to Hill. Sanchez ran it back the other way, while a helmetless Newton gave chase.
- A Spartanburg single-practice record 22,445 fans packed Gibbs Stadium. That's nearly 30 percent of last year's camp total of 77,625 visitors, which smashed a previous record.