Panthers WR Chris Brazzell Suffers LCL Tear

An LCL tear being described as “moderate” (per The Athletic’s Joe Person and NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe) will sideline the rookie pass catcher. The former Tennessee and Tulane wideout will miss up to eight weeks, Person adds. This would stand to inject IR into the equation.

Already dealing with higher-profile health issues on their offensive line and at edge rusher, with Nic Scourton suffering an ACL tear early in camp, the Panthers are breaking Brazzell in with a receiver group that includes Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette. Carolina also signed former second-rounder John Metchie and has 2025 fifth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr. on its roster.

The Panthers’ top two wideouts — McMillan and Coker — are locked in, while Legette has disappointed through two seasons. He and Brazzell will be competing for playing time, though this setback — which occurred on a noncontact play — will be costly for Brazzell’s bid for early playing time. The team will hope “moderate” will do plenty of work here; an LCL tear sidelined Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice for the season in 2024.

The Panthers cannot move Brazzell to the reserve/PUP list since he already practiced; a short-term IR stay would be the team’s only play if it prefers to save a spot on the 53-man roster next month. The Panthers could also carry Brazzell on the 53 and go week to week while he finishes rehab in September. An IR stay would delay Brazzell’s debut by four games.

After a 711-yard sophomore year at Tulane, Brazzell transferred to Tennessee. Last season became Brazzell’s best — a 62-catch, 1,017-yard, nine-touchdown showing. The Panthers will hope the 6-foot-5 weapon can be ready by Week 1, but the defending NFC South champs’ bad run of health continues early in camp.