CHARLOTTE Even though it started in the rain and finished throughout a windy and cool day, nothing could dampen Panthers head coach Dave Canales' enthusiasm.

"What a great day," he beamed as he opened a press conference following Tuesday's OTA practice.

Of course, a breezy and damp day in the 50s will only help so much for the start of the regular season, so Canales announced that the Panthers would get a second joint practice this year in Houston before their road preseason game.

Canales said opening the regular season in Jacksonville with a 1 p.m. start in humid North Florida was a factor.

"That'll be a great one, you know," he said of the work with the Texans prior to the Aug. 16 road game. "It's warm here; it's really warm in Houston. I was in Tampa for a year, but I've also heard Houston just gives you that good work, and the humidity and the heat will be great, especially opening up at Jacksonville. So it'll be a great opportunity for us to get on the road."

The Panthers will also have a joint practice with the Browns here prior to the preseason opener, but Canales said doing the work on the road adds an element for what is still a young team.

"I always like these moments too because you travel a little earlier to have a joint practice, so there's just more time at the hotel for the players to connect, the coaches to connect, and all that. So it's kind of a team-building thing as well as just a good changeup, with the Browns coming in here, and then for us to go down there, we go against each other every day. It's great; it just brings fresh life into the competitive environment, so I love these joint practices, and we'll take advantage of that."

Canales said there were no plans to add one with the Steelers prior to the third preseason game.