Observations, Player Notes From Wednesday’s Minicamp Practice

The list of guys sitting out with muscle injuries increased from Tuesday to Wednesday. DEs Charles Johnson and Frank Alexander remained out with tweaked groins while RB Fozzy Whittaker and TE Ed Dickson joined them on the sideline with the same problem.”It seems to be the predominant injury right now – the nagging groins or the tweaked hammies,” coach Ron Rivera said.WR Kelvin Benjamin, who injured his right hamstring a week after returning from an issue with the left, didn’t practice Wednesday and said he’ll miss Thursday as well. But Rivera is hopeful that nearly everyone can be on the field for the final day of minicamp, which will be a lighter “get them in, get them out” practice.

The Panthers practiced kickoff returns in front of the media for the first time this spring. RB Jordan Todman, who was Jacksonville’s returner last year, was first in line with QB Joe Webb as the upman. Todman was followed by WRs Ted Ginn and Damiere Byrd.
When asked if any players have surprised him the last few weeks, Rivera gave three names: WR Stephen Hill (“Seems to be ascending very quickly”), OT Jonathan Martin (“Gives us good versatility and depth”) and DT Micanor Regis.
Wednesday’s practice was much more lively than Tuesday’s, and it became apparent early that emotions could boil over in the 90-plus degree temperatures. G Amini Silatolu and LB Jason Trusnik got in a brief scuffle before LT Michael Oher and DE Kony Ealy engaged in a more heated tussle during the backend of practice.
PLAYER NOTES