Play of the Day: Pat Jones II "straps" Rico Dowdle in pass coverage

Aug 12, 2025 at 04:30 PM

Kassidy Hill

The Carolina Panthers hold camp Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

CHARLOTTE — This play of the day won't have any video. It won't have any pictures, and to be honest, very few people probably saw it happen, seeing as how it was on the opposite side of the grass from where the ball was going.

But during a training camp in which the narrative has been dominated by the Carolina Panthers' incredibly deep pass-catching corps—from wide receivers, to tight ends, and even running backs flexed out—it's time to give a little love to some defensive coverage.

The Panthers' defense has been a good case study in how opposing teams might have to cover this group in 2025, considering outside linebacker Patrick Jones II has been put in coverage several times throughout camp. The first time, two weeks ago, the pass rusher picked off Bryce Young and returned the interception for a practice-version touchdown.

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"It was just great vision," Canales said of the play back on July 24. "Quarterback intentions, he's in that bonus hook area like he does, and he kind of dropped back, got to his spot, and got vision on the quarterback. That's the veteran play in his game right now that a lot of the other guys are gonna be able to see, get to your spot and see where the quarterback's eyes are taking you, and, so he did it beautifully and of course he's 6-5, and I didn't know he could catch like that."

He reeled that one in 🎣 pic.twitter.com/VIVWnKw1w9
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) July 24, 2025

The second time Jones lined up in coverage, last week, it was in the slot. He was thrilled to pull the assignment, asking anyone he could after practice how he looked.

Then on Tuesday, Jones challenged running back Rico Dowdle.

"Our linebackers do a lot of covering in our defense, so it's always fun to see them like match up on a running back or match up on a receiver in the slot," cornerback Jaycee Horn said after practice.

"Those guys are athletic, so like I said, it's always good to see them running up the sideline with the backs or whatever."

Jones did, in fact, keep up with Dowdle down the sideline into the end zone. The play was on the other side of the field, as Young scrambled to his right and found rookie tight end Mitchell Evans. But on the left side of the field, in front of the defensive sideline, that side of the ball was losing its mind.

The Carolina Panthers hold camp Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

Jones stayed on Dowdle's hip, taking him away even as an option on the scramble, and used his 6-5 frame to keep the running back from getting underneath him..

"Yeah, Pat, lock him up," they yelled, before throwing good-natured taunts towards Dowdle as he jogged back towards the sideline.

Arguably the best part of the entire exchange, though, was after Jones had effectively shut down Dowdle as an option; he paused, posed, and then did Horn's patented seatbelt celebration.

From the sideline, Horn celebrated as if he'd made the play himself, giving Jones his blessing for the gesture.

"Anybody welcome to use the seat belt," Horn said, "As long as you strap 'em."