CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Red flags went up among media covering the Carolina Panthers on Monday when defensive tackle Kawann Short and running back Mike Davis weren’t in attendance for the start of the first practice in pads.

But there was a simple explanation that had nothing to do with injuries, such as the shoulder surgery that forced Short to miss most of last season.

Coach Matt Rhule insisted that every coach, staff member and player with children should take time to be with their kids for the first day of school.

“Even if it’s virtual, they should have breakfast with them and help them get on the computer, drive them to school, whatever," Rhule said. “A lot of times people say they believe in stuff, but they don’t really do it.

“I believe very much in family. And being a father is the most important thing I am, and our players are."

Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools opened remotely on Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some private schools open later this month, some remotely and some in the classroom.

Carolina coaches who are raising children, such as special-teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, were able to get to the stadium in time for the 8:45 a.m. practice.

Rhule plans to take his own advice on Thursday and take his daughters – Vivienne (7) and Leona (5) -- to the bus stop for their first day of school before coming to the stadium.

“That’s something I’ve never really had a chance to do as a coach," said Rhule, 45. “With this ramp-up schedule and not having to be away [for camp], I’m going to take five minutes and spend that time.

“I expect all my coaches to do it as well."

By the time Short and Davis arrived for practice, they’d missed stretching, so Rhule personally made sure both took time to warm up before jumping into drills.

Davis also missed seeing Rhule get down with the defensive linemen to show them how to take on a tackling dummy. This came 24 hours after Rhule insisted he wouldn’t put on pads and helmet as he’s done in the past and challenge players to “bull in the ring."

It got a lot more attention than Rhule expected because the team was streaming practice online.

“I didn’t know the cameras were on," Rhule said with a laugh. “It was my fault. I was just having fun with them. I said, ‘I can do it. Watch.’ I got off the field and ... guys I’ve coached before already were sending me texts laughing at me.

“At least I didn’t get hurt. That was the positive thing."

Rhule made sure recognizing Short and Davis for getting to practice as fast as they did was a positive, too.

“I made a point to the team at the end what a pro KK is and what a pro Mike is," he said. “They [spent time with their children] and then they were there for the beginning of practice, pretty much. They didn’t stop at Starbucks and get a coffee and relax."