{"id":1384,"date":"2026-06-10T21:37:50","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=1384"},"modified":"2026-06-10T21:37:50","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:37:50","slug":"carolina-panthers-cornerback-making-plays-showing-growth-in-competitive-minicamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=1384","title":{"rendered":"Carolina Panthers cornerback making plays, showing growth in competitive minicamp"},"content":{"rendered":"

Corey Thornton<\/a> turned heads during his first NFL training camp last year. And with the way he\u2019s performed during the Carolina Panthers\u2019 mandatory minicamp<\/a> this week, the former undrafted cornerback looks poised to have an even better summer when the crew returns to uptown Charlotte in July.<\/p>\n

Read more FEMA announces additional aid to support Hurricane Helene damage in Western NC<\/a><\/p>\n

Thornton was sticking to wideouts throughout Wednesday\u2019s minicamp workout. He proved to be a tough assignment, particularly for slot receivers, as the 6-foot-1, 195-pound defender mirrored their routes in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills.<\/p>\n

He also came away with the defensive highlight of the day, breaking on a deep ball from quarterback Bryce Young to wideout Jalen Coker, for an interception in team drills.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the work that he\u2019s put in his first year is paying off for him,\u201d head coach Dave Canales said after the workout. \u201cBeing conscientious of the schemes, how to play different techniques. He\u2019s had exposure outside (at cornerback), at the nickel (position), at the safety spot. A lot of trust with Corey, especially coming off the (fibula) injury \u2014 he attacked the rehab, came back out here and has looked great, more and more comfortable. And I love seeing him make plays because he\u2019s worked so hard at it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s the first guy on the field,\u201d Canales added. \u201cAnd he\u2019s out here, working on his craft, going through his stances, footwork and all those things. So, when guys work like that, I expect good things to come, and so I\u2019m just really glad that he\u2019s continuing to grow and progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thornton sustained a fractured fibula in the Week 12 loss to San Francisco last year. Before going down with the season-ending ailment, Thornton had unseated Chau Smith-Wade<\/a> as the team\u2019s starting nickel corner prior to the Week 11 win over Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Thornton, who played college ball at Louisville, went from being an overlooked prospect to an overachieving asset for the Panthers in a matter of months. He collected 14 tackles, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 12 games, despite being a deep reserve throughout the first half of the campaign.<\/p>\n

Now in his second offseason in Carolina, Thornton looks to be headed for a major role in the defensive backfield, and fellow cornerback Jaycee Horn has enjoyed watching his younger teammate grow this spring.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s been the same player \u2014 I think he\u2019s getting a little smarter,\u201d Horn said. \u201cAny time you\u2019re in a defense a second time around, you\u2019re going to understand it better and know where your help is at and know how to play certain downs different. And I think this OTA, that\u2019s just what he\u2019s showing. He\u2019s playing safety, playing nickel and playing corner. He\u2019s handling it all well, so I think he\u2019s just been the same guy he\u2019s always been, just getting better.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who took part in individual drills Tuesday, was sidelined on Wednesday. The reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is dealing with foot soreness<\/a> that popped up during the offseason program.<\/p>\n

McMillan said he won\u2019t require surgery. He also noted that he feels good enough to practice right now.<\/p>\n

Read more TSA PreCheck members set to go through Charlotte airport quicker with new system<\/a><\/p>\n

Following practice, a Panthers spokesperson clarified that the team expects McMillan to be ready for training camp in July. Canales has routinely brought up the need to manage injuries \u2014 not just McMillan\u2019s ailment \u2014 at this point in the offseason.<\/p>\n

Horn and right tackle Taylor Moton were both given off-days during the workout. Defensive end Jared Harrison-Hunte and linebackers Trevin Wallace and Bam Martin-Scott continued to wear red non-contact jerseys while participating in drills.<\/p>\n

Second-round pick Lee Hunter<\/a>, who missed Tuesday\u2019s workout due to personal reasons, returned to work on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Outside linebacker Thomas Incoom (undisclosed), defensive end Turk Wharton (neck) and offensive tackle Ickey Ekwonu (knee) were all seen on the field, but they weren\u2019t available for drills, as expected.<\/p>\n

With Moton on the sideline, free-agent addition Stone Forsythe worked with the first- and second-team units at right tackle. Rasheed Walker<\/a> continued to get the bulk of the starting reps at left tackle, while first-round pick Monroe Freeling<\/a> worked almost exclusively with the second-team group on the blind side.<\/p>\n

Luke Fortner continued to get the first-team reps at center. Nick Samac and rookie Sam Hecht shared the depth snaps.<\/p>\n

Rookie quarterback Haynes King received the third-string reps under center on Wednesday. He had a couple of throws to tight end Mitchell Evans and Jimmy Horn Jr. during his limited stretch of reps in 11-on-11 work.<\/p>\n

Jimmy Horn, who has been working with the depth units, had the offensive play of the afternoon. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett<\/a> launched a ball roughly 30 yards down the field to Horn, who ran a \u201cgo\u201d route, to the end zone for a touchdown in 7-on-7 work. It was easily Horn\u2019s most impressive play during the offseason program in front of media. Pickett\u2019s toss was on the money and was a substantial highlight play for him as well.<\/p>\n

At tight end, Evans, Feleipe Franks and James Mitchell continued to get plenty of looks<\/a> from the backup QBs. Tommy Tremble and Ja\u2019Tavion Sanders had their moments with Young in the pocket as well.<\/p>\n

Read more I \u2018saw the tape.\u2019 Charlotte neighbors discuss stabbing at Third Ward apartment parking lot<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Carolina Panthers hosted their second minicamp workout Wednesday. Corey Thornton, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Jonathon Brooks were among the standouts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-read-todays-edition"],"yoast_head":"\nCarolina Panthers cornerback making plays, showing growth in competitive minicamp - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/charlotterelocationguide.com\/?p=1384\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Carolina Panthers cornerback making plays, showing growth in competitive minicamp - \u0421harlotte Relocation Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The Carolina Panthers hosted their second minicamp workout Wednesday. 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