What It Means
With their 27-17 win over the Texans, the Panthers continued a trend that began seven years ago.
Their preseason opener results, updated:
2010 - L
2011 - W
2012 - L
2013 - W
2014 - L
2015 - W
2016 - L
2017 - W
Players now get a day off before returning to Wofford for the first of their final three training camp practices on Friday afternoon. They'll then head to Nashville Tuesday before two joint practices with the Titans ahead of preseason game No. 2 on Aug. 19.
Top Plays
—You can't teach 6-foot-5:
—And you can't teach speed:
—Jared Norris got credit for the forced fumble, but was it David Mayo?
Health Watch
—Defensive tackle Vernon Butler was eventually carted off after he was helped off with a left knee injury late in the first quarter. The 2016 first-round pick may have had his leg stick in the turf as or after he took a crack-back block from Texans tackle Breno Giacomini.
—Wide receiver Brenton Bersin suffered a left thigh contusion when he was hit low while trying to make a catch deep down the right sideline in the second quarter.
—Tight end Scott Simonson also left in the second quarter after he injured his left hamstring.
—Panthers who didn't dress: quarterback Cam Newton; wide receivers Curtis Samuel and Fred Ross; center Ryan Kalil; offensive tackles Blaine Clausell and Tyrus Thompson; defensive ends Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson; defensive tackles Kyle Love, Toby Johnson and Drew Iddings.
Other Notable Nuggets
—We probably already know who will return as team captains in the regular season, so it's nice when head coach Ron Rivera gives some other guys a chance. On Wednesday, right guard Trai Turner and linebackers Shaq Thompson and Ben Jacobs went out for the opening coin toss.
—Offensive coordinator Mike Shula obviously isn't going to show all his cards in the preseason. So it's not a huge surprise running back Christian McCaffrey saw just one target and spent his quarter and a half lined up in the backfield. The first-round looked as advertised as a runner, picking up 33 yards on seven carries.
—It was surprising to see running back Jonathan Stewart on the field. Because he was either dealing with an injury or the Panthers were being cautious with their workhorse, Stewart last played in a preseason opener in 2012. In two series, he gained four yards on two carries.
—After a spring full of recycled jokes aimed his way, it was good to see wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin make two big plays.
—With a hamstring keeping second-round wideout Curtis Samuel out, the Panthers have been wondering who could separate from defenders and stretch the field. So no one took advantage of an opportunity better than third-year receiver Damiere Byrd, who hauled in two touchdowns and could've had a third if Joe Webb hadn't put too much on a second-quarter interception.
—Third-round pick Daeshon Hall had an impressive debut, drawing a penalty flag and almost picking up a sack. Somewhere, former GM Dave Gettleman was smiling.
Photos from the Panthers preseason opener against the Texans.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) runs against Houston Texans free safety Kurtis Drummond (23) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, left, speaks with Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien before the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) makes the catch against Houston Texans cornerback Kevin Johnson (30) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short (99) tackles Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage (3) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) runs against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin (13) makes a touchdown catch against Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans running back Alfred Blue (28) is tackled in the end zone by Carolina Panthers free safety Colin Jones (42) and Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans running back Tyler Ervin (34) is hit by Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo (55) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaelen Strong (11) runs against Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans linebacker Dylan Cole (51) attempts a tackle on Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kaelin Clay (83) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kaelin Clay (83) spins against the Houston Texans after making a catch during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Houston Texans defensive back Marcus Gilchrist (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers linebacker David Mayo (55) makes the tackle on Houston Texans running back Tyler Ervin (34) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Jared Norris (52) causes a fumble on Houston Texans tight end Evan Baylis (81) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. The Carolina Panthers recovered the ball. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, right speaks with Carolina Panthers kicker Graham Gano (9) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Houston Texans, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Houston Texans wide receiver Dres Anderson (17) misses the catch against Carolina Panthers defensive back Teddy Williams (21) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Damiere Byrd (18) scores a touchdown in the end zone against Houston Texans defensive back Marcus Gilchrist (21) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Jared Norris (52) hits Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Garrett Gilbert (4) is hit by Houston Texans defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (92) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jason E. Miczek)
