Panthers training camp notebook: Defense picks off Bryce Young

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Chau Smith-Wade identified the play Friday and reacted. He raced across the practice field and leaped in front of wide receiver Jalen Coker, intercepting the Bryce Young delivery before running down the sideline for what would have been a pick-six. 

It marked the beginning of an uneven training-camp performance for Young. The defense captured all three two-minute segments to close the session on the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium.

The end of practice was highlighted by rookie Will Lee III creating the day's highlight moment with a final-play interception.

"What a great competitive day," Panthers head coach Dave Canales said during a post-practice press conference. "Finished off with a little two-minute drill right there, had three groups go. Defense went 3-0, some nice drives, knocking on the door, but defense was able to hold it down."

Calanes credited depth defenders such as newly-signed Cam Gill, Trevis Gipsen and Thomas Incoom for providing extra pressure on the offense Friday. It was the defense's first outing since learning that outside linebacker Nic Scourton (knee) would be out for the season after tearing his ACL on Thursday.

"Just a horrible .loss for us," Canales said. "We have guys who have been through this and they've all just said we got him."

TE Mitchell Evans earning coaching confidence

Entering training camp, the tight end room was one of the biggest questions on the Panthers' 91-man roster.

General manager Dan Morgan did not add a major piece during the offseason, remaining confident in the top three of Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans. The team did add free agent Caden Prieskorn before camp.

Evans could prove to be a wild card.

As a rookie last season, he earned Canales' trust early in the offseason program and appeared in all 17 regular-season games. The 6-foot-5, 258-pounder recorded 19 catches on 25 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

"We were able to count on him to do some things," Canales said.

With a season of experience, Mitchell will be out to show during the preseason that he can be trusted to do more things.

"A lot of confidence right now with Mitch," Canales said. "He looks really smooth. He looks like he's been working on his route craft and watching him in routes on air, watching him in our 7-on-7 periods, he's really moving with a lot of confidence, and you can also see the understanding of the concepts.

"When a guy looks comfortable, he knows what's happening."

Hobbled Panthers miss practice

Starting guard Robert Hunt and cornerback Mike Jackson were both held out of Friday's practice with back issues. While Hunt walked laps around the fields, Jackson was not seen. 

"Just making sure there's nothing there," Canales said.

MORE: Pressure intensifies for Panthers' Princely Umanmielen without Nic Scourton

With Hunt sidelined, Chandler Zavala lined up with the starters Friday. On defense, the Panthers were without their top two cornerbacks as Jaycee Horn remains on the active/NFI list. In their place, a mix of prospects, Lee, Smith-Wade and Corey Thornton took turns running with the first unit.

Injured defense tackle Turk Wharton (neck) executed conditioning drills through most of the practice.

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