SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Observations from the Carolina Panthers’ practice on Monday at Wofford College:
Rewards program: Arthur Miley and Rakim Cox got a lot of work with the first-team defense at right end. Frank Alexander, who started there in Friday night’s exhibition opener at Buffalo, worked a lot with the third team. Ron Rivera said he wasn’t trying to send a message to Alexander for a poor effort against the Bills, although the fifth-year Carolina coach expressed disappointment with the way Alexander, Kony Ealy and others on the defensive front played. Rivera said he simply was rewarding Miley and Cox for performing well. It still may have served as a message with Alexander and Ealy fighting to become the every-down defensive end opposite Charles Johnson.
Speaking of Johnson: Johnson left on a golf cart after trying to practice on the calf injury that sidelined him all last week. Rivera said it simply was precautionary because Johnson complained of soreness. He expressed no long-term concern for Carolina’s second all-time leading sack leader. Johnson returned for the end-of-practice stretching.
Devin for Kelvin: Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin got the day off after experiencing soreness in his back after taking a shot there on a catch over the middle against Buffalo. Rivera said it was nothing serious. Rookie Devin Funchess, who had two catches for 53 yards against Buffalo, picked up most of Benjamin’s snaps with the first team. The second-round pick out of Michigan had one nice catch over the middle, but didn’t get the ball thrown to him nearly as often as Benjamin does in practice.
Big day: Wide receiver Corey Brown had one of his best days in camp. He caught a deep pass from Cam Newton early, then came back with a deep over-the-shoulder catch from backup Derek Anderson. Brown and Ted Ginn Jr. are Carolina’s top speed receivers.
Shaq with first team: First-round draft pick Shaq Thompson got some work with the first-team defense as the Panthers prepare him for a big week of practice against Miami on Wednesday and Thursday. The linebacker out of Washington has missed a lot of repetitions in camp with a hamstring injury, but appears ready to go after sitting out the Buffalo game.
Heat impact: Although the Panthers were in shorts, the hot, humid weather still had an impact. Reserve offensive tackle Tony Hills wobbled off the practice field and had to sit down for several minutes on a cooler with wet towels on his head.
Injury settlement: Reserve tight end Jamie Childers was waived after reaching an injury settlement. The rookie out of Coastal Carolina fractured his arm against Buffalo.
