The Panthers practiced in full pads for nearly three hours Monday, with the defense getting the upper hand. Maybe the best news for the defense was the return of outside linebacker Thomas Davis, who was in full pads for the first time since injuring his calf the first week of camp. Davis, trying to come back from three ACL surgeries on his right knee, participated in individual drills but stayed out of the team work. "A little bit of work for Thomas. It’s good to see him. We’re going to gradually work him into it," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "We still have 3 ½, 4 weeks of the preseason left but it was good to see Thomas back on the football field." Middle linebacker Jon Beason remains out, but Beason did his first running since pulling his hamstring last week. Like Davis, Beason is coming off season-ending surgery last year after rupturing his Achilles in Week 1. Source: Charlotte Observer
