CHARLOTTE — Third quarterbacks don't often make regular season rosters, and usually only get reps later in preseason games or in case of emergency.

But Panthers rookie Jack Plummer figures to get a lot of work this week and likely throughout the preseason.

With starter Bryce Young being held out of Thursday's preseason opener against the Patriots and backup Andy Dalton on the shelf with a quad issue, Plummer figures to get most of the work against the Patriots.

The rookie from Louisville was signed as an undrafted free agent, and gotten more reps in camp than third guys get in many places. So Panthers coach Dave Canales was complimentary, and said Plummer has made a good impression.

"I've learned the guy is a hard worker," Canales said Tuesday. "I've learned that he's very detailed in what he does. I feel like he's been really sharp with the different changes that happen at the line, really just the mechanisms, the cadences, and all that stuff. I think he's been sharp there. He's a great athlete, he's got a big arm, and he's showcased that a couple of times. Love his mobility, and he's got a really cool demeanor about him. So I really like the guy. I'm excited for Jack for this opportunity.

"A lot of times you kind of get those, those the late quarter work, and he gets to kind of go out there and, for Jack, you don't realize it, but the guys that if they don't make your team, it's like it's almost a year later until they get actual live game experience. And this is going to be so valuable for him, for his career and development."

Plummer also played at California and Purdue. His final season for the Cardinals, he led them to a 10-4 record (including a win over No. 10 Notre Dame) and a trip to the the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium (a 16-6 loss to Florida State).

He completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,204 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

What remains to be seen is who he will be throwing to. Canales said he's meeting with his staff today to determine playing time, and it's unclear how much the offensive regulars will play.

But Canales pushed back when he was asked a question in the context of a rookie quarterback not giving him a chance to accurately evaluate others.

"Not the way Jack's been playing," Canales said. "So that's the cool part is, I'm excited about that, and we brought in Jake Luton as well, a guy that's been around a couple of different teams. I was with him in Seattle for a little bit. So, a guy who knows how to play football and function is what we really needed to feel good about the evaluation and how important it is. So we brought him in, we're working him into some of the wording, some of it's the same a little bit different and some, but we got to make sure our cadence is right so we can just get the play started.

"And he's really sharp so I'm glad he's here and he's going to give us that ability to evaluate our guys."

-The best corners are naggy pests and Jaycee Horn reminded everyone on Tuesday why he's one of the best corners. During one-on-one drills in the red zone, Horn took two reps against Diontae Johnson. The first, Horn won handedly, undercutting the route to knock away the ball.

The second time, Young and Diontae Johnson adjusted, with the receiver pulling under to nab the touchdown…well, maybe. It depends on who you ask. As Horn and Johnson came up from the ground, Horn began pleading his case with the official right away, adamant that it was an incomplete pass.

Staring down the determined stare of a relentless DB, the official took a moment before declaring touchdown. Johnson celebrated, the defense ragged Horn for not breaking up the ball better, and the Panthers moved on after another rep that helped the entire team take a step forward.

"Our live move the ball periods, we're going ones versus ones all camp," Canales said of the drills. "Those are so valuable, especially at the end of practice when we're tired."

-As practice wound down on Tuesday, the defense had one more splash play in them. Trailing a receiver across the middle of the field, middle linebacker Josey Jewell picked the ball, and the entire defense met him on the field for a mob celebration.

Jewell has only two interceptions in his career, both in 2022, both while playing under defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace, who is getting more snaps while veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson recovers from a hamstring, saw the play up close and knew Jewell was set to make a play.

"His eye progression was wonderful," Wallace said of Jewell's splash play. "We're always big on watching the quarterback eyes. If you lean one way, then burst – like it was just wonderful. You see that seven or eight years (six, going into seven) he's been playing.

"So just learned that from him and it was just wonderful how fluid he was moving and all that. So, like when I watch film, I watch him and Shaq a lot because Shaq's been going on 10 years, Josey going on (seven). So how fluid they are. So, I just watch him a lot and try to get that down."

- Freshly minted Hall of Famer Julius Peppers slipped into town on Tuesday. It was a chance to see his old team and meet new faces from the Panthers. At the end of practice, Canales had Peppers address the team. After a long career that spanned decades and accolades, Peppers' message resonated with everyone, even if in different ways.

For a veteran, like Xavier Woods, it was a message of family and togetherness.

"The big message is us being a family, us protecting one another," Woods said. "Being out there and competing, that's inevitably making each other better. And that's what a family does out there on the field. I mean, we're a team, we play this game, but making each other better, holding each other accountable, that's what a family consists of."

For a rookie, like Trevin Wallace, Peppers' career and message was a reminder that to last in the NFL, every day has to be worth something.

"He was saying like, 'Hey, I know like some days I'll come tired, beat up all that. I was a player once. But at the end of the day, you got to come out there and perform every day like it's a new day. Because you got to think of it, this is a job on the line. You not perform one day, the coach can't trust you. If they can't trust you, you gone.'" So, I took that from him."

- Tuesday was only a padded practice for the first half of the session, when they changed into shell. There was one moment though that reverberated through practice. Tight end Jacob Hollister leaped for a catch in the middle of the field. As he came down, safety Jammie Robinson laid a hit that knocked Hollister on his back.

Robinson immediately threw his hands up and backed away, not meaning to have leveled a tackle that would be more acceptable in a padded practice but was a stopping moment in a shells practice.

"We're pushing our guys to the limit, they got to make those decisions for us. I didn't like that hit just because it's a defenseless receiver, and whether it's in practice or the game, if you go helmet to helmet on a defenseless player, it's a foul," Canales said after practice.

"So, I don't like that part of it. Jammie's game is physical. He's going to err on that side, we like that, but at the same time, we got to be smart. Rule number one is be a great teammate and that's about protecting your team in those vulnerable situations."