Panthers Test Defensive Depth Against Carson Beck in 1st Preseason Game

Q: With starters benched for the August 6 Hall of Fame game, which under-the-radar player will use this spotlight to shock the league?

Kenny Pickett is the safest under-the-radar pick to seize the Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game spotlight. The setup strongly favors him. Panthers coach Dave Canales has already said most first-team players will sit, Bryce Young will not play, and Pickett will start. In a preseason opener where snaps are often fragmented, the quarterback who opens the game usually gets the cleanest chance to control the broadcast and shape the narrative. There is also real career urgency here. Pickett arrived on a one-year deal as Carolina’s backup, and this is exactly the kind of stage where a former first-rounder can remind the league he still belongs in a larger role. Canales publicly praised his command of protections, preparation and downfield throwing in camp, which suggests Carolina wants to see him operate the offense rather than simply hand off. The alternative sleeper cases are thinner. Arizona is also expected to protect key pieces, and its quarterback reps could be split among backups, diluting any one player’s impact. Panthers tight end Feleipe Franks has had a strong camp and could flash because he needs the reps, but non-quarterbacks rarely “shock the league” in a standalone preseason game unless they produce multiple splash plays. If Pickett strings together two sharp series, pushes the ball vertically and looks decisive, he will dominate the postgame conversation. In this particular preseason environment, no under-the-radar player has a clearer path to a league-wide impression.

3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Aug 5

Carolina will use Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game to sort out backup roles on defense, with edge rushers, reserve corners and interior linemen all competing for depth-chart spots.
Outside linebacker reps should fall heavily to Trevis Gipson, Thomas Incoom, Cam Gill and Nick Hampton after Nic Scourton was lost for 2026 and top options Patrick Jones and Jaelan Phillips are expected to sit.
Corey Thornton and 2026 fourth-round pick Will Lee are among the most closely watched defensive backs, with starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson entrenched and unlikely to play much, if at all.
Inside, second-round rookie Lee Hunter is expected to see early work, while LaBryan Ray’s move to the reserve-retired list opens snaps for Jared Harrison-Hunte, Aaron Hall, Elijah Garcia, Tywone Malone and Kyon Barrs.
The matchup comes against an Arizona backup offense led by rookie quarterback Carson Beck, giving Carolina’s reserves a first live test against another team’s second- and third-string units.