Panthers place Xavier Legette on IR with knee injury

The Carolina Panthers moved wide receiver Xavier Legette to injured reserve Saturday due to a knee injury sustained in Week 2. Legette had already been ruled out of Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Lions after sitting out last week’s 21-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

Legette, a first-round pick in 2024, was injured during a 55-yard catch against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. He has not played since, and the move to IR means he will miss a minimum of four games.

Xavier Legette injury status and recovery

According to AP News, the Panthers have not detailed a recovery timeline for Legette beyond placing him on injured reserve, the standard designation for players expected to miss extended time. He finishes the first three weeks of the season with two receptions for 64 yards.

The IR move for Legette comes three days after Carolina placed starting cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on injured reserve.

Who replaces him

To fill the vacancy, the Panthers promoted wide receiver Ja’seem Reed from the practice squad to the active roster. Reed is a projected depth option behind Carolina’s remaining receivers rather than a confirmed starter. The team also elevated cornerback Robert Rochell to help offset the losses at that position.

Carolina’s receiving corps now leans on its healthier bodies to carry the offense without Legette, who had flashed big-play ability on his lone long catch against Atlanta before the injury sidelined him.

Season context

Legette’s 2026 season was limited to three games. His absence compounds Carolina’s injury woes; the team also lost starting cornerbacks to injured reserve this week.

What’s next

The Panthers host the Lions on Sunday night without Legette, Horn and Jackson.

Reporting from The Associated Press contributed to this story.