Panthers Preseason Notebook: C Austin Corbett Welcomes Baby Boy As Rookie Replacement Andrew Raym Makes NFL Impression

Dave Canales saw just about everything he wanted to see from his offensive starters during Saturday’s 31-26 preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Saturday.

The personable Carolina Panthers coach also heard the halftime news he anticipated: “Cooper John Corbett,” Canales shouted during his post-game press conference, via Panthers.com. “Ten pounds, four ounces … beautiful baby boy.

“Congrats to the Corbetts.”

Panthers Seek Center Depth

To state the obvious, Austin Corbett did not dress for the preseason finale. He was one of 17 inactive players, highlighted by outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Jaycee Horn, guard Damien Lewis and safety Xavier Woods.

Stepping in at center, undrafted rookie Andrew Raym played 36 snaps during Saturday’s prolonged audition. Corbett is transitioning to center and the Panthers could benefit from Tuesday’s cutdown day to bolster positional depth. The Panthers retain the first waiver selection through Week 3 and first-year general manager Dan Morgan said he will take advantage of the opportunity.

Meanwhile, Raym gave Morgan and Canales something to think about.

“We asked Raym to get in there and he did a great job, getting the snaps, making sure our rhythm was where it needed to be,” Canales said.

The former Oklahoma standout earned the Panthers’ fifth-best offensive grade (68.7) during the 15-12 loss to the visiting New York Jets on Aug. 17, according to Pro Football Focus. As the starting center, he helped establish a tone as the first team engineered a game-opening touchdown drive. Quarterback Bryce Young went 6-for-8 with 70 yards and a touchdown pass.

“Bryce looked sharp,” Canales said.

With Young experiencing his lone preseason series with a backup rookie center, Canales, a former longtime quarterbacks coach, kept the snaps basic, allowing the starters to work up a sweat during the 12-play, 85-yard drive.

“Raym keeps growing and learning,” Canales said. “We felt with the chemsitry of the snap, sometimes you don’t want to be under center with a new center, so we just featured the pistol and gun (snaps), which gives him a clean snap point. He did a fine job there.”

Panthers Notes

Directed by undrafted free agent quarterback Jack Plummer, the Panthers generated 414 yards of offense, their most since accumulating 570 versus the Detroit Lions during a freezing Week 16 matchup in 2022. The Christmas Eve contest was the coldest ever at Bank of America Stadium. … Plummer completed 21 of 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. He registered a 125.4 QB rating. … Backup tight end candidate Jesper Horsted caught both targets Saturday for 63 yards.  It was the longest reception of his career. … Undrafted rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker, who didn’t execute many “spalsh” plays during training camp, caught a 36-yard TD pass on the first play of the fourth quarter. It proved to be the winning score. … The Panthers converted eight of 13 third-down attempts, a stark contrast to last season. … Safety Rudy Ford, who could be a cut candidate Tuesday, led the defense with six tackles. … Recently signed offensive linemen Ike Boettger and Mason Brooks led the Panthers’ offense with 56 snaps each. … The Panthers’ cornerbacks struggled against the Bills. Recently signed Chris Wilcox (42.9) and Quandre Mosley (28.2) graded out as two of the bottom four defenders, according to PFF.