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Anthony Rizzuti

Panthers training camp tracker: Day No. 12

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The Carolina Panthers have now concluded their business in Spartanburg, S.C. for the summer. But they’re not leaving without giving us a few good takeaways first.

Here’s what we learned from the 12th and final practice of 2022 training camp.

Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold will both play on Saturday

Griffin Zetterberg-USA TODAY Sports

Head coach Matt Rhule hasn’t given us much about who’s currently in the lead for the starting quarterback job. Like, have you seen yesterday’s depth chart release yet?

Anyway, he at least told reporters that both Mayfield and Darnold are set to play in the team’s preseason opener against the Washington Commanders on Saturday.

“Not yet,” Rhule said on Wednesday when asked if he has a game plan for this weekend. “We’ll meet today and have that. But both quarterbacks will have a chance to play.”

“I think it’s an ongoing process,” he said when asked if he’s any closer to a decision. “As I said—when we know, we know. If we knew for sure, we would say it and just move on with it. So when we know, we know. Every day brings new evidence. Every day brings new insights.”

Matt Corral is coming along

Griffin Zetterberg-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Corral has taken a backseat to the Mayfield vs. Darnold battle. But the rookie, who got some added reps on Wednesday, has still impressed Rhule:

“Matt’s had a good camp in the limited time he’s got. He’s really coming along. There’s no question about Matt’s ability to throw the football and he sees the field really well. To me, it’s him adapting to the NFL. And I think he has really taken well to the amount of work he has to do ’cause he’s not getting a ton of reps. And I think that’s actually speeding up his development. I’m excited about where he’s headed. I didn’t hear Ben [McAdoo] yelling at him too much. So I think that probably means he did pretty well.”

Taylor Moton is Matt Rhule's training camp MVP

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

This seems to be the summer where Taylor Moton is finally getting his flowers. The sixth-year lineman received his latest praise from Rhule, who named him his Most Valuable Player from Spartanburg:

“Boy, that’s really, really hard. I think a lot of guys have done a really good job. I’m gonna go ahead and say T-Mo. Moton. I think Moton’s taken the next to becoming the dominant player he’s capable of. And I think his leadership is being felt.”

C.J. Saunders gets tough news

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Saunders has easily been amongst the most impressive players of camp. His work from the slot, specifically, was helping him make a run at a crowded receivers room.

Unfortunately, as stated by Rhule, the 25-year-old sustained a quad strain yesterday and will miss three to four weeks. That will likely keep Saunders from making the initial 53-man roster.

Notable observations

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