Black and Blue Review
- Panthers owner Jerry Richardson made his first appearance at a camp practice this year. Like last summer, he drove a golf cart with sports broadcaster Jim Gray riding shotgun. Unlike last summer, NBA Hall of Famer Jerry West was not with them.
- Tuesday’s practice felt like a Monday. Whether it was the humidity or the players coming back from a day off, there didn’t seem to be a ton of energy coming from the field.
- Former Panthers LB Chris Draft watched practice. So did Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton. The hosts of “This is Gross” on TWC walked around filming interviews with a mini camera.
- The connection between QB Cam Newton and WR Kelvin Benjamin continues. They linked up for three touchdowns — one during 9-on-9s, the others in team drills — and they made it look easy.
- RB Kenjon Barner missed a fourth straight practice with his sore legs. He was having a good camp, but it’d be nice to see him back out there again sometime soon.
- Same with WR Tavarres King. He was impressing until sore legs forced him out of the last two practices.
- WR Kealoha Pilares remains the No. 1 kickoff returner. He also beat Charles Dockery on a go route when the WRs went one-on-one with the CBs.
- During one of the team periods, WR Tiquan Underwood caught three straight passes from QB Derek Anderson. It could have been four, but Underwood wasn’t able to reel in a ball thrown a bit behind him.
- T Nate Chandler sat out with a sore knee. He participated in some light drills and head coach Ron Rivera expects him to practice Wednesday.
- Chandler was replaced at right tackle by Garry Williams, who missed three practices with knee inflammation. The Panthers really like Williams. He just needs to stay healthy.
- DE Greg Hardy returned after missing a couple practices with a sore shoulder.
- Despite Rivera’s hope that DE Charles Johnson would practice, he sat out with a tender hamstring. There’s no need to rush him back out there.
- With Johnson out, his first-team snaps were split between DEs Frank Alexander and Mario Addison.
- LB Jason Williams was back after tweaking his ankle Saturday. The key backup and special teams guy should have a spot on the 53-man roster.
- CB Charles Godfrey returned after missing a couple days to rest his Achilles. He continued to play as the No. 1 nickel, and he had a couple pass breakups. He was also in coverage when Benjamin scored a touchdown in a 9-on-9 drill.
- It sounds like S Roman Harper, who injured his toe Friday after stepping on the foot of TE Greg Olsen, may be out a bit longer. The team will continue to be cautious with something they fear may turn into turf toe if they push it.
