CHARLOTTE — The first player Panthers head coach Dave Canales mentioned by name in the postgame celebration in the locker room was rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald , ... of course.

It was that kind of day for the Panthers, and on a day when they leaned into his ideal of complementary football, having everyone's hands and feet on it seemed appropriate.

"How about Ryan Fitzgerald?" Canales said during his press conference. "You know, not just the field goals and PATs, but I really thought he impacted the game with how he kicked the ball off, and gave us some amazing field position, some different kicks that gave them some issues."

That kind of contribution summed up the day during the 30-0 win against the Falcons in the home opener at Bank America Stadium.

Fitzgerald tied for the second-l

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