Panthers Rookie McMillan Shines Despite Drops in Joint Practice with Browns

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan showcased his resilience during a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday. After dropping a pass in the end zone, he quickly redeemed himself by catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Bryce Young just minutes later.

McMillan, selected as the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, had experienced a similar situation the previous day where weather conditions contributed to a drop. The Panthers practiced under heavy rain for two hours before the joint practice with the Browns, but they were fortunate to enjoy clear skies once the joint session began.

“I think that was a new one for T-Mac because he was like, ‘Oh, shoot. This is a good spot for it,’” said Panthers coach Dave Canales, referring to McMillan’s earlier drop. “We would love him to catch the ball. He will.”

Young heavily targeted McMillan during the session, attributing the focus to the defensive coverages presented by the Browns. “He probably got a few more targets today,” Young said. “There’s been practices where it’s been Adam (Thielen), X (Xavier Legette), all the way down.”

Throughout the practice, other notable plays included a diving touchdown catch by young wideout Brycen Tremayne in the same end zone as McMillan’s earlier reception.

Defensive end Myles Garrett of the Browns expressed that Young seems more confident in his role this season compared to previous years. “I think they really rallied around him and they’re seeing that he can lead this team and do well,” Garrett said.

The practice was generally smooth, with both teams maintaining good sportsmanship, a contrast to their previous encounters that saw tensions escalate. “Mutual respect between both teams,” said Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig, reflecting on the absence of major melees.

During the session, there was some concern as well when officials flagged the Panthers for multiple penalties during the second team period, prompting Canales to address the sloppiness. “We can’t have that. We’re gonna put ourselves in really bad spots,” he remarked.

Veteran kicker Matthew Wright, listed as No. 1 on the Panthers’ depth chart, had a flawless day, hitting all five of his field goal attempts, much better than the previous day’s struggles in the rain. Canales plans to alternate kickers, with rookie Ryan Fitzgerald set to kick in the upcoming preseason game.

As the Panthers look ahead to their next matchup, they hope to build on the promising performances seen during practice, particularly from Young and McMillan. Young stated that the preseason offers a great opportunity to help the team gel as they prepare for the regular season.