The Carolina Panthers secured a solid 34-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in their second straight preseason contest on Friday, but one of their key starters, wide receiver Xavier Legette, was nowhere near the field. He was on the sidelines at EverBank Stadium, sporting a boot on his right foot, and his return date is totally up in the air. That’s a gut punch for a guy heading into what many believed was a make-or-break year.
Foot Injury Leaves Legette’s Return a Mystery
Panthers head coach Dave Canales explained the situation after the game, confirming Legette’s absence was due to an injury. “He got his ankle twisted up. He has some soreness in his foot,” Canales told reporters, detailing the situation. They’ve evaluated him, and the plan is to take it “little by little” to get him back. While Canales hopes to see Legette by the end of the next week, he was clear that he “can’t tell you exactly when he’s gonna be back.” It’s a day-by-day situation, depending on what’s happening with his foot. Other starters like outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and inside linebacker Devin Lloyd were also held out due to soreness after joint practice, but Legette’s boot makes his situation sound way more serious.
A Make-or-Break Season Just Got Even Harder
This injury could not come at a worse time for Legette. A 2024 first-rounder, he’s spent his first two seasons underperforming, racking up just 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. The buzz around him this year was all about proving he belongs. Now, with a foot injury and an uncertain timeline, that “make-or-break” campaign just got a whole lot tougher. The Panthers’ wideout room is already hurting, too. Their 2026 third-round pick, Chris Brazzell II, just went down with a season-ending LCL tear. Brazzell was actually competing with Legette for that No. 3 spot on the depth chart behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Losing both guys, even if one is temporary, is a massive blow to the team’s receiving options.
The Panthers are going to need Legette healthy and on the field if they want him to live up to his draft status. For now, it’s a waiting game, day by day, to see when he can shed that boot and get back to competing for snaps.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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