Aug 2, 2025; Charlottle, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) takes the field during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers get positive update on Tetairoa McMillan's status vs. Saints

Originally posted on Carolina Panthers on SI
By Tim Weaver | Last updated Nov 9, 2025 8:45 AM ET

The Carolina Panthers got a scare on Friday's injury report when rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan suddenly popped up with a hamstring issue and was listed as questionable for today's game against the New Orleans Saints.

Here's what head coach Dave Canales had to say about McMillan's status for this week when he last spoke with reporters following Friday's practice.

#Panthers Dave Canales on Tetairoa McMillan’s hamstring flaring up on him today below.

Brycen Tremayne is also questionable. When asked later if Hunter Renfrow is next up, Canales acknowledged the possibility but said that’s something the team will determine closer to game time. https://t.co/7RC0uoivDz pic.twitter.com/DDgkeVAkKF
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) November 7, 2025

Not counting starting quarterback Bryce Young, McMillan is probably the one player that Carolina's offense absolutely cannot afford to lose - even against the 1-8 Saints.

However, we got a positive update on McMillan this morning, courtesy of a report from Adam Schefter at ESPN. He says that McMillan is expected to play.

Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is expected to play vs. the Saints, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2025

This is good news, because for all intents and purposes, McMillan is the Pathers' entire passing game. Heading into Week 10, he leads all Carolina pass-catchers in targets - totaling 69 so far compared to Xavier Legette's second-place 37.

McMillan also leads the team in receiving yards by a massive margin, totaling 558 yards, compared to just 181 for Legette - who's also a distant second in this department.

One area he hasn't been able to separate himself from the herd in is in touchdowns, where he's tied with several other players for the team lead with two on the season, both of which came in Week 6 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Today should be a good opportunity for McMillan to add to that total. The Saints rank 24th in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers.

This article first appeared on Carolina Panthers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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