Carolina Panthers RB Miles Davis seeks his NFL groove 

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers running back back Miles Davis ran for a team high 53 yards in his first NFL preseason game, a 33-30 win against Arizona in the Hall of Fame Game.

Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik called for a Miles Davis encore.   

Moments after darting downfield for a 26-yard gain to fuel the Panthers’ 33-30 walk-off win against Arizona at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game, Idzik, who has assumed playcalling responsibilities, recalled hearing an instant debate over his headset.  

Did Davis deserve a set break?  

Idzik decided to keep him on stage.  

"No, no, let’s get him another touch," Idzik said Tuesday. 

     
As Haynes King orchestrated the 13-play, game-winning drive, Davis didn’t get another chance to solo, but the undrafted running back supported the offense’s rhythm capped by King’s 5-yard run as time expired.  

“It was cool," Davis said after Sunday’s practice. “I feel like it was a great scene.  It helped us (backups) build confidence.” 

Making an impression  

Signed by Carolina on May 18, Davis started low on the depth chart, evidenced by his fourth-quarter presence during the preseason opener.  

Davis made the most of the gig.  

With the Panthers protecting a 24-23 lead with 10:13 in the fourth quarter, Idzik made Davis a headliner. On the series’ first play, he gained 5 yards. On the second snap, he earned four more.  

On third-and-1, Davis went 36 yards, putting the Panthers in field goal range. Idzik kept Davis in and the former college wide receiver displayed his hands, hauling in a 5-yard pass.   

Three plays later, Ryan Fitzgerald’s field goal extended the Panthers' lead to four with 6:53 to go.   

Davis was just warming up.  

After the Cardinals scored to go up 30-27, Davis sparked the Panthers’ final drive by hauling in an 8-yard pass and, on the next play, running up the middle for 8 yards, pushing the Panthers past midfield with 57 seconds remaining.   

Davis did miss his final note, however. On the next snap, his catch netted a 4-yard loss.  

King took over, improvising a 26-yard run on third-and-14 as well as the game-winning score.  Davis was open in the flat.   

"He got it done," Davis said of King. "Big Haynes. He got it done.  That's all that matters, man."   

Show on the road  

During his professional debut, Davis finished with a team-high 53 yards rushing on four carries and caught all three targets for 9 yards.  

Davis' preseason tour continues Saturday at the debut of the Buffalo Bills’ new $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium. With coach Dave Canales confirming Sunday that the No. 1 offense is scheduled to run "10 to 20” plays, backups like Davis will need to earn their second-half snaps.  

“I’m excited about another opportunity in Buffalo,” Idzik said. “Miles has done a great job. He picked up [offensive schemes] really fast. He does a really good job of catching the ball out of the backfield and (has an) understanding of what we're coaching.  

“He’s one of those bright-eyed guys.”

Idzik quickly noticed Davis’ persona. The top four running backs appear set with Chuba Hubbard, Jonothan Brooks, Trevor Etienne and A.J. Dillon. Davis isn’t distracted from his goal.  

“He comes in the room and he’s always smiling, happy to be here,” Idzik said. “But you can also coach him hard. And he puts in the work to make sure he's making the corrections he needs to make. That came to life in the game. He had an explosive run and you challenge him to stay on the ball.”  

After transferring to Utah State for his final season following four at Brigham Young, Davis gained 1,000 all-purpose yards, earning 2025 second-team All-Mountain West and Academic All-Mountain West honors. He rushed for 731 yards on 131 carries and eight touchdowns along with 201 yards on 28 receptions and three TDs. He also compiled 68 kickoff yards.  

A 2019 three-star receiver recruit from Las Vegas, Davis also lettered in basketball and track and field, earning a share of a 4x200 relay state title.  

By switching to running back at BYU, Davis discovered his niche.   

“My NFL experience has been pretty good, learning from the vets,” he said. “I love it. These guys took a chance on me.” 

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