CHARLOTTE — In the classic entry in the American songbook "Five Feet High and Rising," Johnny Cash watches the floodwaters continue to climb and sardonically says, "Looks like we'll be blessed with a little more rain."

Panthers head coach Dave Canales takes a sunnier view of the conditions.

"What a gift," Canales beamed at the beginning of his press conference Tuesday, following a practice that was conducted in a low-grade monsoon.

The Panthers practiced through it for nearly two hours, and likely will again tomorrow when the Browns visit for a joint practice, so Canales was clearly looking for silver linings in the many, many clouds.

"I mean, just to get the experience of it, that could happen to us early in the season here, with just some of the storms that have been rolling through," Canales said. "So, I think the passing was a little sloppy. There were some, what would normally be like some obvious catches for guys that went through hands, on both sides, really some interceptions that we kind of missed opportunities."

Canales is a big believer in keeping things the same, regardless of the conditions. So while most of the staff was wearing whatever rain gear they could lay their hands on (the guys in the equipment room have never been more popular), he didn't deviate far from his normal long-sleeved T-shirt, opting for a cap and a long-sleeved hooded T-shirt. That's just kind of his vibe.

And while the conditions weren't ideal for viewers, he loved the energy players brought throughout the day.

He was also impressed with the conditions of their two grass practice fields (raise a glass to the other heroes of the day on the grounds crew), and said he's already had discussions with Browns coach Kevin Stefanski.

"We're just going to practice," Canales said. "The field was great. So the turf itself, there wasn't a lot of slipping, our grounds crew has done an amazing job, just making sure that it's draining properly and all that. So, we'll go out there, we'll practice, and I think Kevin kind of expects that.

"He texted me this morning, he said, 'looks like rain for the next 37 days.' But it'll be good. The energy will be good, and the competitive environment we'll bring, they won't even be thinking about the water. I promise you, it'll be about this opportunity to go against other pros, so we're excited about that."

Laying out the "rules of engagement" for joint practice

The main thing Canales and Stefanski discussed was the ground rules for joint practice, since no one wants to see it devolve into a brawl, as others around the league have in years past.

"We'll have an opportunity for some of our leadership on both sides to talk to each other about the rules of engagement and what we're expecting," he said. "We're expecting the physicality of it. We don't want people laying out and making wrap tackles; it's very similar to what we did at Fan Fest. So Kevin and I are on the same page that way, but we definitely want to get the physical high-intensity nature out of it.

"I think it's going to be important for the players to also kind of talk to each other about the expectation of what it's going to be."

Center Austin Corbett, who still has a few friends on the roster of the team that drafted him, acknowledged that it was important for players to have those kinds of discussions amongst themselves.

"Ultimately, it's just being smart; we're here to work against other opponents," he said. "We're going to see completely different schemes on the defensive side of the ball, and so just to get that good clean work and not make it such a personal attack on each other.

"I think these practices have that ability to kind of get out of hand like that, where it's just ego versus ego and who's the bigger man, and who can step up, and we're not playing football at that point. So, trying to keep it about the ball, just make it clean, crisp, and ultimately the game's on Friday, and that's what we're trying to get to."

Being smart with Derrick Brown

Veteran defensive end Derrick Brown did his most extensive work on Tuesday, and Canales was leaning toward holding him out of tomorrow's joint practice.

He said Brown's knee injury from last year wasn't the concern, but the recent oblique issue. He said Brown's habit of going 100 mph at all times was also a factor.

"I don't know about getting him out there when he's going to start throwing people around and really torquing that," Canales said.

Defensive leaders stepping up, including A'Shawn Robinson

Canales said he liked the way Brown, A'Shawn Robinson, and Jaycee Horn called up the defense late in the practice to get things together.

"They were challenging each other, we've got to go now," Canales said.

And while Horn and Brown are recognized around here as leaders since they're homegrown, Canales said Robinson has the kind of gravity to make a difference there as well.

"I would say of those three, A'Shawn is the most vocal leader that I think we have on the defensive side," Canales said. "So, he's typically spot on. He just kind of takes the temperature of the group, and he'll come to me and say, 'Coach, I think we need to talk about this,' or he'll say, 'Do you mind if I say something?' So, just a guy who's aware of his teammates, aware of the state of the group, and he's played on some really good defenses.

"So I think he knows what it feels like and what it takes to play really good defensive football, and when it doesn't feel like that, his senses kind of go up and he's the one that will address the group, more often than most guys."

Tetairoa McMillan shows some veteran savvy

Cornerback Mike Jackson seemed largely unimpressed with what he's seen from the offensive rookies, who have to sing in team meetings.

But he had to admit, Tetairoa McMillan stood out for his decision-making as much as his talent.

"TMac is smart," Jackson acknowledged. "He got up and sang gospel. You can't boo God."

It's hard to argue with that, though McMillan does have a good singing voice.

Other injury updates

Outside linebacker DJ Johnson returned to practice Tuesday after missing a few days with a hip issue.

That left Hunter Renfrow (hamstring), Nic Scourton (hamstring), and Chandler Zavala (knee) on the sidelines. Canales said he wanted to wait until later in the week to make any declarations about whether any of the guys in the return to play protocol would play Friday.