CHARLOTTE — The Panthers started with a three-and-out, and ended up getting somebody thrown out.

But they still got what they needed out of their first offense Friday night.

Bryce Young played in the preseason opener and led a touchdown drive after a fits-and-starts start to the preseason opener against the Browns.

That included second-year wideout Xavier Legette being ejected, and what appeared to be a miscommunication in the end zone with rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan.

But the end result was a touchdown to Jalen Coker and a short night.

"Jalen's someone we all have a ton of trust in, and he's played on the biggest stages," Young said in a sideline interview with the Panthers Television Network's Carla Metts. "He was big for us last year. He's going to continue to be big for us.

"I think it was just a good, balanced drive. It's something to build off of in the preseason, but you know we're competitors. You want to go out there and score every drive. So the second one we got it done, we'll watch tomorrow, clean up other stuff, but right now it's just excited."

As promised, Dave Canales got them out after 12 plays, and they were productive.

The first drive wasn't one to remember, ending with a third-down sack, which came from the area that's usually occupied by guard Damien Lewis. But Lewis was inactive Friday night, and Ja'Tyre Carter started in his place.

When the Panthers got another shot after their three-and-out, the fireworks ensued.

Young hit McMillan down the right sideline for a 30-yard gain, giving the rookie his first chance to hear the home crowd at Bank of America Stadium cheer.

But two plays later, at the end of a Chuba Hubbard run, Legette got into it with Browns cornerback Rayshawn Jenkins. Jenkins appeared to have Legette by the facemask in the scrum. Punches were thrown, and Legette came out of the clump of players without his helmet.

Both players were assessed personal fouls and were ejected.

Moments later, Young and McMillan missed a connection in the end zone, and McMillan looked back his way and flashed a thumbs up, suggesting it was his fault.

But on the next play, Young scrambled and found Coker coming across the back of the end zone for a touchdown.

So during their 12-snap sequence with most of the starting lineup, the offense did its job against the Browns' second unit.

Young was 4-of-6 passing for 58 yards (a very good 9.7 yards per attempt) and the touchdown for a 137.5 passer rating.

"Yeah, it feels great," Young said. "Offseason is so long you forget how much you miss playing this game. Definitely a blessing to be able to be out here with the best fans in the NFL. Come out here, it's not a weekend anymore, I guess not a Sunday, but go out here and play football. It's always great."