Carolina Panthers get a July 2025 boost as Hunter Renfrow & Derrick Brown eye returns for training camp. Can their health spark a 2025 season turnaround?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
While the summer heat beats down on Charlotte, a wave of encouraging news is providing a cool breeze of optimism for the Carolina Panthers. With training camp just weeks away, key players on both sides of the ball are signaling their readiness to return, headlined by wide receiver Hunter Renfrow's inspiring recovery and defensive tackle Derrick Brown's push to be back on the field for a pivotal 2025 season.
Physically I feel as good as I've felt (since 2021).
The biggest stories heading into the July lull are the comeback trails of two potential cornerstone players. Defensive stalwart Derrick Brown, whose 2024 season was derailed by a significant meniscus tear, told reporters he's aiming for a full return by the start of training camp. His presence is non-negotiable for a defense looking to rebound. On the offensive side, Hunter Renfrow shared an uplifting update on his battle with ulcerative colitis, an illness that cost him the entire 2024 season. Renfrow reports feeling significantly better and ready to get back into football shape. Adding to the good news, first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, held out of final minicamp sessions as a precaution, is also expected to be fully healthy.
Renfrow's return isn't just a feel-good story; it sets the stage for one of training camp's most compelling battles. The Panthers' wide receiver room is suddenly looking deep and competitive. Renfrow will be vying for targets with a dynamic group that includes the aforementioned rookie Tetairoa McMillan, 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette, veteran leader Adam Thielen, and promising young target Jalen Coker. How Renfrow, a former Pro Bowler, fits into this new-look offense under head coach Dave Canales will be a major storyline to watch once the pads come on.
The Panthers will need every one of these players healthy and firing, because the newly released 2025 schedule offers no easy stretches. The season kicks off September 7 on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the real test comes late. A Week 12 Monday Night Football showdown at the San Francisco 49ers looms large, followed by a brutal divisional finish. Carolina will face NFC South rivals five times in the final eight games, including two critical late-season matchups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team that has owned the division crown for years. Overcoming the Bucs will require the Panthers to be at their absolute best.
For now, the roster is quiet, with no new transactions to report. The focus is squarely on health and preparation. With rookies reporting on July 21 and the full camp starting on July 22, the countdown to Spartanburg has officially begun. The questions are clear: Can Brown and Renfrow return to form? How will the crowded receiver room shake out? The answers are just around the corner.
