Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales revealed Tuesday that he recently underwent a procedure to remove a small spot of basal cell carcinoma from his nose. He showed up to minicamp with a Band-Aid still in place and spoke openly about the scare that a routine team screening caught early.
The 45-year-old coach did not hide the news. He addressed it directly after practice, turning what could have stayed private into a straightforward message about paying attention to your health.
“It’s a good reminder not to take these things for granted,” Canales said. “It was a basal cell type of skin cancer in a small spot, and they were able to get it off. So I’m really appreciative.”
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it grows slowly and almost never spreads to other parts of the body when caught early. That matched exactly what happened here.
Canales credited his mother’s experience for keeping him vigilant. She dealt with skin cancer issues in her 40s. Because of that, he has made sunscreen a non-negotiable part of his routine for years.
“You can imagine a Southern California kid playing outdoor sports and then getting into coaching, right?” Canales said.
The Band-Aid stayed visible throughout the day’s work. Players and staff saw it. Reporters saw it. Canales never tried to explain it away until he was ready. When he did speak, the relief in his voice was obvious. The procedure had gone cleanly. The spot was gone.
Tetairoa McMillan Returns to Individual Drills
Reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan participated in individual drills at minicamp Tuesday. He had sat out organized team activities last month with a minor foot injury. The Panthers are bringing their young receiver along at a measured pace.
Canales said the staff feels good about McMillan’s recovery. They are not rushing anything. The goal is simple: get him back to full speed without letting a small issue turn into something bigger.
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McMillan moved through his individual work without apparent limitation. His presence on the field, even in controlled reps, gave the offense a familiar target. The Panthers know how much he meant to their attack as a rookie. They want that version back for the full 2026 season.
Canales sounded encouraged after watching him. The foot issue that kept McMillan out of team periods during OTAs has not lingered into minicamp. The team will continue to monitor the workload closely in the coming days.