CHARLOTTE – For weeks, the question surrounding the Carolina Panthers offense has been, who will start at quarterback? Through starter changes, car wrecks, and win streaks, the position has dominated all conversation around the building.

But this week, the topic shifted. It wasn't so much about the quarterback — who Dave Canales announced on Monday would be Bryce Young — but who would be snapping to him.

On Wednesday, following the first practice of the week preparing for the Chiefs, Canales announced the center on Sunday will be Cade Mays. This will be the third week in a row that Mays has snapped for Young.

"He's a hell of a football player," offensive guard Robert Hunt said of Mays on Wednesday. "He's a smart cat."

The question around a starter initially rose because of some musical chairs the offensive line was forced to play the last three weeks due to injuries. Brady Christensen had been starting at center, but after left tackle Ikem Ekwonu injured his ankle in Week 8 against the Broncos, Christensen kicked out to the edge. Mays stepped into the middle of the line and snapped the past two games.

Ekwonu is set to return on Sunday, meaning Christensen could move back to the interior. But the Panthers have had success with the Mays and Young duo and are keeping it intact. Given Christensen's versatility, the decision also affords the unit a backup at every position. Christensen also took snaps at center during Wednesday's high intensity practice.

Coaches felt comfortable sticking with Mays for the chemistry he's shown with Young and the progress he's shown with himself.

"Just an eagerness," Canales noted of Mays the last few weeks. "An eagerness to be able to help in any way, any way possible.

"And just a willingness to apply himself and to get after it. So, I just kind of saw that look in his eyes, the gratitude; here we go, get another chance to get back and help."

Mays was drafted by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2022 draft and spent two seasons in Charlotte. He was released during initial roster cuts to 53 and spent time on the New York Giants practice squad. After Austin Corbett was lost for the season in Week 5 with a torn biceps, Canales said they honed back in on Mays.

"We immediately were like, where's Cade?" Canales said. "And he was in New York with the Giants and the conversations and all that, his excitement to come back here, he loves it here, you know, and we love guys that want to be here, that want to be invested in what we're doing."

In his two starts, Mays has played 56 pass-blocking snaps, facing a one-on-one 35.7 percent of the time (according to Next Gen Stats). During that time, he's allowed only two quarterback pressures (3.6 perfect of snaps) and no sacks.

"He did a great job last week just pairing with Rob Hunt and with Damian, going against Dexter Lawrence, who he saw in practice, so that was a little bit of an advantage for him," Canales noted. "All camp against Derrick Brown, and then you go against Dexter Lawrence and the likes, so I think some experience playing against those types of guys.

"And then on top of that, just his ability to, you know, get the runs, get the passes directed and ID'd the right way so that there was no drop off from an assignment standpoint was great."

Added Hunt, "He gets it. Really impressed by what he's done and excited to keep playing with him."

Injury Updates

Four players were held out of practice on Wednesday: Miles Sanders (ankle), Damien Lewis (illness), A'Shawn Robinson (rest day), and Jadeveon Clowney (knee). It was a padded day, with plenty of hitting. As such, coaches held out those with lingering aliments – Robinson, Clowney, and Lewis – from the Week 10 win against the Giants.

"All guys that kind of had things coming out of the last game, so just taking advantage of one more day to kind of get them ready," Canales explained. "They should be all practicing tomorrow."

A guy who did practice on Wednesday was Amaré Barno. The outside linebacker has been rehabbing a knee injury but was designated to return to practice on Monday, opening his 21-day window to be activated from the physically unable to perform list.

Canales said Barno took "a number of reps" and will be someone they keep an eye on as he strings more days together.

"Everybody was excited to see him back out there and the long journey he's been on to get himself back, to help us out," Canales said. "So, another guy to just kind of look at and evaluate as we go forward."

Running back Jonathon Brooks and receiver Adam Thielen both practiced and had positive days, according to Canales.

A happy little dance

The video was broadcast around the world, from Munich to Charlotte, and to so many places in between. It was a short clip, just five seconds long, but told a whole story.

Bryce Young, standing on the sidelines right after the Panthers defense forced a turnover in overtime against the Giants in Week 10, let loose a little dance, a big smile, and a ton of exuberance, before grabbing his helmet and running to the field to guide the Panthers to a game winning field goal.

Asked this week what the dance was, Young laughed, "I don't know, that's a good question. I was just happy at the time."

In leading the Panthers to back-to-back wins, Young's confidence has grown, and as such, his expressiveness. But while there may be more viral moments to capture of the Panthers second-year quarterback, his commitment to the game has stayed the same.

"I enjoy things in my own way," Young said. "I know how things look can vary from the outside in but I've always enjoyed the game, I've always loved the game, I've always had fun playing. Maybe it's been more expressive the last couple of weeks, but my love for the game has always been there."