Xavier

Legette

Ouch. This, one week after Legette somehow commanded seven targets. Bryce Young attempted just 26 passes in a dreadful performance, but it is difficult to believe Legette could get blanked even on that modest volume. Despite his theoretical upside as an underestimated first-rounder, Legette isn’t someone who is going to be in 12-team league lineups any time soon.

Legette didn’t play a full-time role in his first career game but was on the field plenty and even led the Panthers in targets. The bulk of his looks came late in this game including a few deep shots that Bryce Young failed to connect on. Legette should see his playing time increase as he gets more comfortable in the offense, but it’s hard to see how he can put together usable fantasy weeks as Young’s deep threat. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere until Young turns things around or is benched.

Legette was listed as day-to-day last week after suffering a foot injury in practice. The first-round receiver was spotted back with the team at Monday’s session in pads and looks ready to resume practicing in a normal capacity. Legette will likely open the season as a backup but should eventually work his way onto the field as he continues to develop his game in the coming months.

Rookie WR Xavier Legette, struggling with a foot injury that could keep him out a while, is listed as a second-team option for Carolina. Mingo has drawn a surprising amount of praise and hype after a spectacularly awful rookie season in the Panthers offense. He had 43 catches for 418 scoreless yards as a full-time Carolina starter in 2023. It appears Mingo has a chance to start alongside Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson.

Legette will be sidelined this week after hurting his foot Sunday during practice. It’s a tough break for the rookie, who is widely considered raw and in need of practice and game action. Legette could be an afterthought to start the regular season if his foot injury lingers well into the preseason. Terrace Marshall could have an outside shot to functioning as a top-three wideout alongside Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson if Legette misses an extended period.

The imaging reportedly ruled out a fracture, though a firm return-to-play timeline was not given. The injury comes at an inopportune time, as preseason play is critical for rookie-season development. The incident gives WR Jonathan Mingo breathing room following his own 2023 rookie season flop.

HC Dave Canales did not seem overly concerned, telling reporters the team would “evaluate [Legette] this afternoon as a precaution.” Legette also dealt with a hamstring strain in early June. The 23-year-old rookie is widely considered an unrefined, size-speed prospect and an extended absence would bode poorly for his development. It is a situation worth monitoring.

The hamstring issue, according to ESPN’s David Newton, popped up last week during OTAs and has lingered into this week’s practices. Legette, widely seen as an unrefined wideout coming out of South Carolina, can’t afford to miss much time in summer practices if he’s going to play consistent snaps in Carolina’s offense this season. His hamstring issue is one worth monitoring.

“I feel like the coaches kind of thought the same thing, as well,” Legette said of what was a popular scouting observation. “So I feel like that was important. I put emphasis on making that happen and being able to show them that I could do that through the process.” Legette also admitted some have nitpicked his ability to get in and out of his breaks, but he believes it’s because of his bigger size. “A lot of folks say a lot of bigger guys can’t get in and out of their breaks. But I’m gonna show them (otherwise).” Already 23 years old, Legette is going to have to clean up his game in a hurry at the highest level.

The Panthers have signed their entire seven-man draft class ahead of Friday’s rookie minicamp. Legette’s deal includes a fifth-year team option for 2028 after the Panthers traded back into the first round to select him. New coach Dave Canales has talked up manufactured touches for the late South Carolina breakout, suggesting he isn’t going to be an immediate point of emphasis down the field. With so many moving parts in the Panthers’ offense as they attempt to prevent Bryce Young’s career from going off the rails, Legette doesn’t seem terribly likely to make a WR3 impact as a rookie.