Kenny Pickett set to start, starters limited as Panthers open Hall of Fame Game week

The Panthers are treating the Hall of Fame Game as a controlled look rather than a full-scale dress rehearsal. In Monday’s practice update, Carolina coach Dave Canales indicated that starters were unlikely to see extended action in Thursday night’s exhibition against the Arizona Cardinals, aside from a few groups in active job competitions.

Carolina’s plan also includes naming Kenny Pickett as the game’s starter, a decision that frames how the Panthers want to evaluate their quarterback run with the first group. Pickett will lead the offense early, while the rest of the depth chart is expected to be filled in based on which positions the staff wants to sort out before the regular season begins.

Canales’ comments point to a common late-camp balancing act: using the game to measure execution and timing, while limiting risk for players who will carry more of the load in the season opener. With starters projected to sit for most of the contest, the most consequential takeaways may come from the players competing for defined roles, including those who need game reps to separate themselves.

The Panthers’ Monday practice also produced one clear highlight for the offense, according to Carolina’s report. Tetairoa McMillan, a standout target during camp, had another big day as the team continued to build continuity through the passing period. For a team working to finalize its pecking order at receiver and in the passing game, a productive practice from a top-level contributor can help sharpen both routes and rhythm heading into exhibition action.

Alongside the on-field momentum, the team’s update referenced “positive injury news.” While the report did not provide injury specifics in the information available here, the tone suggests Carolina believes it has avoided meaningful setbacks as it continues to sort depth and manage workload across camp.

What to watch next is how the Panthers use the Hall of Fame Game’s limited starter approach. Even without a full showing from the first unit, the staff can still identify who is winning particular positional battles based on how confidently players operate in live-game sequences. The quarterback assignment to Pickett adds another layer, since early command, tempo, and decision-making will be the primary criteria for judging the run with the starters.

For Carolina, the exhibition also functions as a final calibration before the season calendar compresses. If the staff keeps to its stated plan, the game will likely emphasize readiness and roles rather than marquee statistics, and the sharper story will emerge from who rises in high-leverage competition moments.