The Panthers came to Houston ready to lock horns with the Texans in a joint practice session on Thursday morning. The two combatants didn't waste any time getting right to the action. The teams did about 15-20 minutes of activation/individual and then they started getting after it. Now, I have two eyes and I tried to see as much practice on both sides that I could, so I'll give you those moments in my HARRIS HITS right…here…

Let's just say overall, I thought there were things that the Texans got accomplished in this session on both sides of the ball and both sides of the ball left the practice field knowing there were things left to work on. Now, if you're out there thinking that the Panthers are what they were in 2023 or 2024, think again. They have one of the better OLs in the league. The three top receivers can make life miserable on any, and everyone. The defensive interior is bolstered by the return of big Derrick Brown, one of the best in the league. QB Bryce Young looked like a different QB than I remembered seeing as a rookie in 2023. This Panthers team is going to be a much better squad than many people think, mark my words. So, the Texans didn't walk in and dominate. As such, there were some aspects that I'm driving home at night thinking about that I'll be really happy with and some other things that I'll know still need some work.

Strides Up Front

One thing that continues to get my attention is the continued pass protection. Not perfect, but definitely making strides. Now, like I said, I didn't see every single offensive rep, but what seemed consistent in most passing situations was the time that QBs C.J. Stroud and Davis Mills had to get the ball off. Really happy with the OL's work and progress.

The Panthers defensive interior is a stout group and did give the Texans' offensive interior some issues in the interior run game. But, there were some moments for the running backs where there was no penetration and open space available.

One of the brighter spots today was OG Ed Ingram. I thought he had a couple of plays that were just awesome. I saw him single block a DT four to five yards downfield on an inside run play. It was to a point that the DT turned his back and tried to slow Ingram with his back. That was great to see for sure. Then, a little later in the third or fourth team period, on a Nick Chubb cut back run, Ingram made one heck of a block to wash down a defender to open a lane for his RB. That was great stuff from Ingram and he seems to get better and more confident each day. I liked what he showed on Thursday.

Quick and Decisive

One aspect of the passing game that I saw, especially early in practice, was the quarterbacks getting to second/third reads quickly and decisively. On his first set of downs, C.J. Stroud wanted to hit WR Jayden Higgins on a short route, but it was clogged up. So, he scanned quickly and drilled one to WR Jaylin Noel for a completion. Stroud seems to get more and more comfortable in this new offensive system with his new offensive teammates.

I thought Stroud was really freakin' good throughout the day. To conclude that first drive, he threw a dart to Nico Collins on third and nine for a clean touchdown against a six man pressure from Carolina. That was just beautiful to watch. More on those two linking up in the end zone later in red zone work.

Like I said, on that play, the Texans expertly picked up the blitz, allowing Nico to work against a Panthers CB one-on-one. If you're playing zero man AND the Texans front whips the blitz, it's just not going to work. It certainly didn't on that play. The blitz pickup/pass protection was pristine, allowing C.J. to throw accurately to Nico.

QB Davis Mills made an excellent throw to WR Justin Watson at the sticks on third and about two. Watson made one heck of a contested catch down near the turf to hang on and make the first down.

I jumped over to the defensive field just in time to see Panthers WR Xavier Legette go up over rookie CB Jaylin Smith for a touchdown. Legette is a specimen and those are the type of plays that Panthers fans hope they see even more this year. That was a tough cover for the Texans rookie for sure.

Hitting the Holes

RB Jawhar Jordan had a tremendous split zone run with some help from his TE Irv Smith. I've been impressed with the way that Jordan has hit holes and openings during training camp and I hope that continues on into Saturday as well.

The offense had some rough moments in the middle of practice. Panthers CB Mike Jackson made one of the best plays of the day when he fell off a flat route underneath the WR running the corner route and picked off a Stroud pass. That was one heck of a play for a CB on that route.

The run game slogged a bit through the middle periods as well so I went to watch the defense for a while. On the very first play that I went over to field two, Panthers TE Mitchell Evans caught a short pass from QB Bryce Young and immediately was POPPED by LB Azeez Al-Shaair. The hit caused a fumble and the Texans picked it up for the takeaway.

All-Pro Sting, Of Course

But, the Panthers didn't go away. Legette made another great catch on the near sideline down the field, but as the Panthers inched into the red zone, Young made a mistake challenging All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr, who picked him off inside the ten yard line.

Texans WR Jayden Higgins showed his speed on the next offensive series, catching a crosser on third down from Davis Mills. Then, the former Cyclone hit the gas and showed his wheels.

Before the Texans offense went to red zone work, and as I was watching the defense, RB Nick Chubb had his best run of the day, following the great Ed Ingram block that I mentioned above. That was a promising run, for certain. Thanks to our film guys for putting that on the big videoboard that I watched in between defensive plays. Stroud also threw a sick back-shoulder ball to Nico Collins a few plays later.

Impressive Defensive Work

One of the best defensive plays of the day was courtesy of Danielle Hunter and Henry To'oTo'o. On a second down in a move the ball drill, Hunter got off the ball in a blink and was right in Bryce Young's face in two steps. Young reacted trying to make something happen and flung the ball underhanded which To'o To'o reached up and ripped away from the TE for an interception.

On the next play, LB E.J. Speed blew up a screen. He read it perfectly and beat the OL to the spot. Then, he destroyed the block to wrap up the Panthers RB for little to no gain.

But, the Texans defense had two defensive pass interference penalties on that drive, which didn't help the cause.

LB Jake Hansen then came into the lineup and immediately TFL'd a TE on the bootleg. Two plays later, the pass rush enveloped Young, but someone got a hand in Young's face, which drew a roughing the QB penalty, keeping the drive alive.

Red Zone Period

For the red zone period, I went back to watching the offense and it was a bit of a struggle. As we watched, Marc asked if I knew where Nico Collins was. I panicked wondering where #12 was, but just as Marc asked me that, RB Dare Ogunbowale snuck away from a Panthers linebacker and caught a soft toss from Stroud for the TD.

On the very next play, I looked up on the video board as I walked over to watch the offense and Stroud hit Nico for a TD in the back of the end zone. That seemed to really get the offense going before the final drill - a two minute situation. Before that Dare TD, though, the Texans offense had some rough reps. But, OC Nick Caley's unit finished strong from that Dare TD to the last play of the day.

For the defense's red zone drill, the Texans gave up nothing for the series I saw. LB E.J. Speed stopped Panther RB Chuba Hubbard on an inside run. Then, a false start and two PBUs from the Texans safeties - M.J. Stewart and Calen Bullock - ended the Panthers red zone attempt.

Before the situation drill started, QB Davis Mills did a great job finishing the red zone drill. On the second to last play of that drive, Mills ripped one to John Metchie for a TD just inside the goal line. Then, Mills followed that up with a scramble toss to Braxton Berrios for the TD on the final play of the drill.

Hitting Its Stride

From that point on, the Texans offense was outstanding. Stroud started the situation drive with a slant to Nico Collins. Panthers S TreVon Moehrig, who would play a role in the testiest moment of the day (later), hit Nico with all he had…and bounced off of him. Then, Stroud hit WR Xavier Hutchinson on consecutive completions to move closer to the red zone. After incompletions on pressured throws, Stroud went back to Dare who beat the LB across the middle on third down. Dare picked up the first down AND got out of bounds.

The next play had everyone's attention in the blue shirts. Stroud threw to Hutchinson who took a hit from Moehrig that riled up the Texans offense, mainly the recipient of said hit Hutchinson. Either way, it set up one play with ten seconds left in that situation.

Stroud then moved up and out of the pocket and delivered a DIME to WR Christian Kirk to win the game! Or, that drill, whatevs. But, it was a THREE ASTERISK THROW AND CATCH to end Stroud's day against the Panthers.

Then, QB Davis Mills stepped up and led the team right back down into the end zone. He dropped a DIME on WR John Metchie III who ran the out and up on the Panthers secondary. Then, Mills hit TE Cade Stover for a completion, leaving plenty of time on the clock. Two incompletions set up a third down for Mills. The Texans fifth year signal caller threw the exact right throw to WR Braxton Berrios in the back of the end zone. Berrios got his hands under it with an outstanding sliding catch for the TD.

So, that'll do it from Thursday's joint practice. Plenty to be excited about, plenty to work on and plenty to look forward to in the near future. Can't wait for Saturday - see ya then, everyone!!