Panthers To Open WR Xavier Legette’s Practice Window

It does look like Legette remains in the Panthers’ plans for 2026, however, with Dave Canales indicating Monday (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) Legette will be back at practice this week. He has been on IR since suffering a knee injury in Week 2.

As our Connor Byrne highlighted this summer, the 2026 season effectively served as a make-or-break campaign for the South Carolina alum. Going 1-for-5 in productive seasons during his time with the Gamecocks, Legette still parlayed his 2023 slate into a No. 32 overall selection. The Panthers, however, have made more successful moves at receiver by landing Coker as a 2024 UDFA and taking Tetairoa McMillan eighth overall last year. McMillan earned Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2025, and Coker signed a three-year, $34MM extension this summer.

Legette caught 49 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, when Carolina had divided its QB work between Bryce Young and Andy Dalton, and came in at 35/363/3 to contribute to the team’s NFC South-winning campaign last season. Legette came into this season as Carolina’s WR3, but the addition of Darren Waller — a rare pass-catching tight end to stop through Charlotte — may affect the returning big-bodied WR’s place in Young’s aerial hierarchy.

The Panthers are in decent shape in terms of injury activations, but their situation is becoming crowded. Six activations remain for Carolina, which has offensive lineman Brady Christensen in the IR-return window and a few key players (Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Jonathon Brooks) now return-eligible. Canales was noncommittal about opening the windows for Horn, Jackson and Brooks this week, Person adds.

Horn suffered a torn quad in late September, while Jackson underwent groin surgery soon after. Both are expected back this season. Core muscle surgery took place for Brooks, who has been unable to stay healthy since his final college season.