CHARLOTTE — There's a lot to process when two football teams are on two practice fields, but for the Panthers and the Browns on Wednesday, it almost stood out as much for what didn't happen as what did.

As in, it didn't really rain, and there weren't any big fights.

Instead, it was mostly a solid day of work for both sides, heading into Friday's preseason opener.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales mentioned "the power of prayer," saying he asked the powers that be for "just a little window" in the rain. Canales got his wish, as the monsoon of Tuesday broke before they started, and the sprinkle didn't begin again until they were calling teams up.

And since it wasn't hot (as Charlotte enjoys its first Fake Fall of the year), there wasn't as much of the kind of emotions boiling over as in many joint practices.

"It was a physical style of play, and the good part is too, like when the emotions start going, there was a couple of pushing and shoving and a little bit of facemask lock up a couple times, but I saw two groups come in there not to throw haymakers and and blindside shots but to pull the guys apart. And they were kind of jawing at each other in a playful way, big smiles and a lot of juice.

"I mean, I can't, I can't dream of a better situation, a better scenario to have that kind of competition, but also to be able to respect each other. So really, really just, tribute to, you know, Kevin (Stefanski) and the Browns, coming in here and getting some good work in."

It wasn't completely innocent, as Chuba Hubbard had to be held back when a Browns defensive back threw a ball back at him after breaking it up, but other than that, it went mostly without incident.

"Yeah, yeah, that's the classic DB special," quarterback Bryce Young laughed. "They get a PBU. You want to throw the ball back. So yeah, it's all competition."

Young and the first offense largely moved the ball well, and the Panthers' run defense had a solid day against a good Browns offensive line (more on that later).

Jaycee Horn update, won't play Friday

Canales said that cornerback Jaycee Horn was largely OK after his traffic accident Wednesday morning.

He didn't practice after getting a few stitches on a cut on his left thumb, and he won't play in Friday's game, though most of the starters will. Rookie cornerback Corey Thornton worked with the starting defense in his absence.

"He's day-to-day right now," Canales said. "We're just going to evaluate. It doesn't seem like anything else happened. He'll be able to still do some activity, running, and all that, but he will not play this game.

"Hopefully we can get him turned around so we can take advantage of an opportunity in Houston, for that game, which was kind of the plan all along."

Horn was on the sideline with teammates, a practice script in his hand, and was his normal boisterous self.

"Even without practicing, just as much energy as he always has," Young said. "That's the person he is. I know he would have loved to be out there, but doing everything from the sideline, they got him a script, he's following with the play calls, making sure he's engaged. And that's the energy he has. That's our guy, we know he's always going to do everything he can, so I'm grateful he's on our side."

Bryce Young ready for preseason action Friday night

Canales said he hoped to get most of his starters eight to 12 snaps in Friday's game. If they had one long drive, that might be enough, but he wants them to go through the pre-game preparations like a normal game.

Last year, the starters didn't play in the first two games, before playing 12 snaps in the finale against Buffalo, and Young is eager to get out there.

"Yeah, I'm super excited," Young said. "I think it'll be great for us, a lot of familiar faces but obviously some new pieces, and every year we're a new team, so, I think it's just a great opportunity for us to, at the first opportunity we can, we can go out there and try to establish ourselves, get more and more comfortable, get reps. And I think it'll be a great thing for myself, for all of us, just to kind of get our feet wet a little bit in the preseason, and we're going to make sure that we do everything we can to execute and take advantage of that opportunity.

"It's a great opportunity anytime we get to go out there, we get to go into the Bank (of America Stadium), we get to go out as a team. I don't take that for granted. It's a blessing no matter what it is, so I'm definitely excited."

Bryce Young and Tetairoa McMillan showing chemistry in catches and drops

The ball finds energy, and on Wednesday, that meant the ball found Tetairoa McMillan, a lot. There were big catches, the kind he's become known for making, but there were also drops; perhaps even more of the latter than the former. But training camp is the time to figure out what works and what doesn't, and during the Panthers' joint practice with the Browns today, Dave Canales saw a lot of both, even in the drops.

During 7-on-7, Young was looking for McMillan—one of the many times that happened on Wednesday—as the receiver ran into the end zone. For half a second, despite good initial defense from Chigozie Anusiem, it looked like TMac was going to break away and come down with another highlight worthy catch. But when the two hit the ground, the ball was rolling around harmlessly a yard away.

But back at the line of scrimmage, Young turned around and shared a smile with Canales. The rookie receiver might not have come down with the 50/50 ball, but they'd unlocked something for the offense.

"He was kind of running a corner route and Bryce kind of, instead of leading him to the back pylon, Bryce kind of threw it right behind the defender and I think that was a new one, you know, for TMac because he was like, 'Oh, shoot, this is a good spot for it,'" Canales shared after practice.

"Bryce kind of saw it, so I was excited about that. Bryce turned around to me, we're both smiling, and we would love (TMac) to catch that ball—he will, but I love just taking those attempts down the field just because it's just the me to you factor, learning new skill players within our scheme."

During the last part of 7-on-7, Young went to TMac again, this time as he drug near the front of the end zone, weaving the ball through a tight window. McMillan had a defender on his back but made the grab for the touchdown, impressive enough to lead Rico Dowdle to shout across the field, "Nice catch, TMac!"

During team period, the duo connected again, but only first after a miscommunication that had the ball landing in an open area of the field with no one around. That particular play had Young and McMillan on completely different pages. The very next play showed them completely in sync, with McMillan breaking loose down the seam for a wide-open catch.

"TMac's done a great job and really, I'm super grateful the entire receiver room has that next play attitude, which is huge just as a team," said Young of the play.

More than anything, though, it was proof of what Canales has seen developing between the duo all camp.

"I love the chemistry that they're developing," he said. "I think that, especially down the field, Bryce has been giving TMac a lot of opportunities, a lot of shots down the field to figure out 'Where can I put this where he's going to be able to get his hands on it?'"

Injury updates, Claudin Cherelus carted off

The Panthers did leave practice with a few concerns.

Left guard Damien Lewis didn't finish practice with an undisclosed issue after taking part in team drills early. Brandon Walton finished in his spot with the ones for the final two team periods.

And linebacker Claudin Cherelus was carted off the field after suffering what Canales described as a groin issue.

The Panthers are still thin at linebacker, and recently brought in former Packers and Cardinals linebacker Krys Barnes. But Cherelus is also one of the team's top special teams players.

Rookie outside linebacker Nic Scourton was back in pads after missing some time with a hamstring, but wideout Hunter Renfrow remained on the sidelines with his hamstring issue.

Odds and ends from practice

— Canales said there were times in practice where his team looked a little "leggy." He explained that a few times, he saw guys slip out of breaks after they went hard in Tuesday's monsoon.

— One-on-ones against a new set of guys can often give a fresh opportunity. But for rookie defensive tackle Cam Jackson, he was able to roll a guy without compunction. He got Browns center Bucky Williams on his heels and on his back in a hurry. Jackson's not getting a ton of reps behind a bunch of veterans up front, but he does create a physical mismatch with a lot of people.

— Wide receiver Brycen Tremayne closed practice with his second touchdown of the day from Jack Plummer. He's a huge target, and his size and physicality make him an enticing option in the run game and on special teams. They have a lot of weapons at the position (it's one of the deepest on the roster), but he's had a very good camp.)

— Even without Horn on the field, there was plenty of competition in the secondary, with Mike Jackson and Browns wideout Jerry Jeudy going head to head. Jeudy got behind him on a deep crossing route, but Jackson came back moments later to break up a pass.

— Former Panthers wideout Diontae Johnson was here, and visited with some Panthers staffers during practice. He was traded in the middle of last season to the Ravens.

— A good number of alumni showed up for the joint practice, including Kurt Coleman, Brentson Buckner, Micheal Barrow, and Kevin Donnaley.