CHARLOTTE – Bryce Young gathered the offense into a huddle during Wednesday's practice, following a play that hadn't gone exactly right, and issued a challenge; let's get it right this time.

So, they ran it again. And this time, they got it right, moving down the field. It was putting into action the message that Dave Canales has given the team earlier in the day; we still have to define who we are.

"We still are in the process of doing that," quarterback Bryce Young said following Wednesday's practice, "and, you know, we have to earn that throughout practice, earn that through how we play."

The Panthers will get an opportunity to shape that identity of Sunday, when they determine what kind of team they will be coming off a 37-point loss against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Before turning to the Los Angeles Chargers though, Young had to address some of the things that went wrong in New Orleans.

"For me, looking in the mirror first, we all have that mindset of we want to be better," Young said. "You look at plays which could execute it better. You got to learn from it."

One of the areas to learn from was the connection with receiver Diontae Johnson, or lack thereof on Sunday. Against the Saints, Johnson had two receptions on six targets, for 19 yards. It was a stat line that stood in stark contrast to the chemistry Young and Johnson had shown and grown during the offseason. But, as Young said, the tough days of building that chemistry is what can help the duo now.

"In the same way when that happened in a training camp practice, we go back and talk about it and figure it out and make sure we get on the same page," the passer shared. "And then go out today, did a great job of running routes hard and working hard and us having conversations just like the rest of the receiving corps did, the rest of the team did.

"I have a tremendous amount of confidence in Diontae. I know the player he is, he's shown it time and time again throughout camp, throughout OTAs, through everything and his approach. I have all the confidence of the world in him and, for us, it's just, how efficient can we be first game in a new system.

"Now that was what Monday was about and then now, we've turned the page, we've turned into, we're all in for the Chargers."

No plans for another punter

Veteran punter Johnny Hekker suffered a back injury during Sunday's game. It caused him to be held out of practice on Wednesday. The Panthers and Hekker aren't exactly sure when the injury happened, Canales only saying, "it was on one of the returns where Johnny's back started to tighten up and he finished up the game for us."

Canales said Hekker was held out of practice because, "we're treating him today. We held him out just to get a little bit more rest, you know, and then we'll evaluate him as the next couple of days go on."

As of now, Canales said, there is no plan to work out another punter. However, the team does have a "long list of guys" they're looking at, so they'll be ready as they evaluate Hekker, in case there is a need to bring in someone new.

Jadeveon Clowney was on the bikes for Wednesday's practice, for a day Canales said was to "manage him. Give him a day to just get back so we can get him back out there in some of our packages.

"I thought he looked fantastic in the game. Played his edge stout like he always does…the accumulation of the plays built up some soreness, so trying to take care of that so we can get him back out there."

Tight end Tommy Tremble was back at practice, not only in pads and a helmet, but able to participate in some drills. He was officially listed as a limited participant. When able to go though, Canales saw positive signs in his tight end.

"He looked great. He looked fast, he looked physical in the run game. He looked like Tommy, so we're excited to get him back."

"That type of energy...I like that here."

Tem Lukabu is having the time of his life.

"It's so fun," he smiled, shaking his head like he can't believe he even gets to do this. "I have the best job in the league. I honestly feel that way. It's a new challenge every day and I only see opportunity in it."

The challenge for Lukabu, the Panthers outside linebackers coach, might make a lesser man run. On one side of the pass rush, Lukabu has Clowney, an 11-year Pro-Bowl veteran. On the other side, he has a rotation of second-year guys; DJ Johnson and Eku Leota, while D.J. Wonnum and Amaré Barno both remain on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.

It means Lukabu is walking a fine line in his room, on the field and how he handles the emotions of each person in his room.

"They challenge me and again, it forces me to be a better coach. I got to cover all my grounds," Lukabu explained. "Make sure I don't bore a 10-year vet, make sure that I'm covering everything with the first year and second year guys. I got to cover all my bases in that way. So, it's really making me a better coach."

The exuberance filters throughout the room. It's why Clowney, the former No. 1 overall pick, back home to play for his sixth team, is marrying a few hard-earned lessons from his years in the league, with the atmosphere Lukabu has created in the rom.

"It's all about to me about having fun," Clowney said Wednesday. "Doing this job, it's already physical enough and people will already be uptight enough. So, I think anytime you can pick them moments to have a good time and hang out and laugh, is always good in a locker room while around your team, or with your coaches. So, I think we should keep that going."

The point was punctuated home by the fact Clowney delivered the message while sitting in a locker that isn't his, just so he could take a few minutes and meet his new teammate, linebacker Jon Rhattigan, one of the waiver wire pickups for the Panthers two weeks ago.

Asked what he's learned of his new linebacker, Clowney replied, "he played in Seattle in 2021."

A simple internet search would have answered that question, but Clowney joked he had to figure his name out first. Once that was taken care of, the two continued to compare notes on their careers, another example of a young player just staring out, and an experienced veteran finding a way to make it work together in this defense.

"It's big, it's big to have that energy," Clowney said. "That type of energy, that laughing environment, free environment to be who you are, to be your own self. So, I like that here."

Their brother's keeper

The Panthers received a blow this week, learning defensive lineman Derrick Brown would be out for the season.

"Obviously it was a huge blow to our group," fellow lineman Nick Thurman said on Wednesday.

Added Young, "It's extremely hard. My heart goes out to him, you hate to see it. It's such a tough part of the game. Not just an amazing player, but it means so much for, to us as a team, as a leader and just what he brings, it's not something you could replace at all. So definitely praying for him and, and his health."

In the defensive line room, Thurman said the group had a moment and tried to encourage Brown as much as possible.

"We were just trying to be our brother's keeper and, you know, obviously he is a great player, great part of this team and all we want to do is just go out there and do our job."

The Panthers added defensive end DeShawn Williams to the practice squad on Tuesday, bringing a guy who started 10 games here last season back.