Panthers Place WR Xavier Legette On IR

Legette pulled in a 55-yard catch against the Falcons in a 34-3 win in Week 2, but he suffered the injury on the same play. He missed the Panthers’ 21-18 loss to the Browns last Sunday as a result and will now be out until at least Week 8. It’s the latest disappointing development for Legette, whose career has not gone as hoped since he joined the Panthers as a first-round pick (32nd overall) in 2024.

Then a rookie general manager, Dan Morgan made Legette the first selection of his tenure after he traded up a spot to land him. The 6-foot-3, 227-pound Legette was coming off a breakout year at South Carolina at the time, but it hasn’t carried into the NFL.

With 49 catches, 497 yards and four touchdowns, Legette was fairly productive during a 16-game rookie season. His numbers went backward last year, however, as he totaled 35 receptions for 363 yards and three scores in 15 games. Tetairoa McMillan, the Panthers’ first-rounder in 2025, emerged as their No. 1 receiver during an Offensive Rookie of the Year-winning campaign. Legette also fell behind Jalen Coker on the depth chart. Although Coker went undrafted in the same class as Legette, the former Holy Cross wideout proved enough in his first two seasons to earn a three-year, $35MM extension over the summer.

With a decision due on Legette’s fifth-year option next spring, there is a case this is a make-or-break season for him. It’s not going well so far. Legette caught just two of five targets for 64 yards in the Panthers’ first two games, and he won’t be able to build on those totals for the foreseeable future.

In addition to Legette, the Panthers’ receiving corps could go without Coker against the Lions on Sunday. Seeking extra receiving depth, they elevated Ja’seem Reed from their practice squad on Saturday. They also called up cornerback Robert Rochell.