The second week of Carolina Panthers training camp started with a bit of a bummer.

Here are the top takeaways and observations from Monday's practice:

The injury bug bites

Head coach Dave Canales revealed that safety and special teams ace Sam Franklin Jr. sustained a broken foot during Saturday's practice at Bank of America Stadium.

“So we did confirm Sam Franklin broke his foot in our Back Together practice,” Canales told reporters this morning. “A huge hit for us. He’s a fantastic, spirited guy. Really, the leader of the special teams unit and someone that we’re really gonna count on. So we gotta make sure we hit this rehab the right way and Sam will come back to us at the right time. So praying for him and pulling for him.”

Canales, however, seemed positive about the possibility of Franklin Jr. rejoining the team at some point this season.

“Yes," he said when asked if Franklin Jr. could return. "You would hope so—and with the foot, there’s differing degrees. So I can’t tell you specifically the degree of the fracture and all that. But I just know that he’ll be able to come back to us and help us at some point.”

Who steps up for Sam?

As one of the team's leaders, Franklin Jr.'s absence won't be a simple void to fill. But they'll have to try.

“You can’t replace Sam Franklin,” Canales stated. “But this is a great opportunity for guys to step up. The inside linebacker room has a bunch of guys who can help us. You got Chandler Wooten, you got Claudin Cherelus, you got Tae Davis in there. Of course, talked about Trevin Wallace. So you got a real group there.

“Nick Scott, Alex Cook. D’Shawn Jamison is a fantastic gunner. Dicaprio Bootle was also able to do a couple of things. Mike Boone—on offense—he runs the ball the right way and he’s versatile on special teams.

“So there’s guys that can find a role for themselves on special teams. And really, that’s a great way to make the 53—to make an impact on these practices first. And then, of course, as we hit preseason opportunities, to be able to step up in that role.”

Early standouts

Canales was asked if he could name a few early standouts from camp.

“I look at the safety group,” he replied. “Nick Scott, Alex Cook. Of course, Jordan [Fuller] and Xavier [Woods] are lookin’ fantastic. But that safety group, I’m just really pleased with how they’re communicating, running to the ball. They’re really showing the effort and strain we’re looking for.

“From a linebacker group—beyond Shaq [Thompson] and Josey [Jewell]— Trevin Wallace. Just watching him fly around—this guy is a special talent. Chased the ball down today after a play, which is what we want—we want the whole group rollin’. So showing that kind of strain.

"Offensively, just looking at that receiver room, but also just the things . . . Jordan Matthews, like his effort and the things that he brings in. Stephen Sullivan just flashes ability and length, and how he's been able to attack it. I can keep going. But what I hope for is happening—the groups are very competitive. And I hope they continue to push each other as they're pursuing their best."

The devil is in the details

Second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo has been the major standout of the summer thus far. He was asked how he's putting a disappointing rookie campaign behind him.

"I just got a better feel for the game," Mingo said. "Going from a college offense to an NFL offense, getting used to signals and everything, being in the huddle, hearing the whole play call, knowing what I got, knowing the splits and everything, the timing. All that matters in the league—you can get away with it in college, but you can't do that in the NFL. So just trying to be a little more detailed."

Top observations

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2024 training camp tracker: Observations and takeaways from Day 4