Carolina Panthers News

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Chris Brazzell II • WR • Panthers

Chris Brazzell II Carted Off on Wednesday With Leg Injury

Carolina Panthers rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (leg) was carted to the locker room after suffering a left-leg injury during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Brazzell was not putting any weight on his leg, which obviously is not a good sign for the University of Tennessee product. The 22-year-old was returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out for a couple of days due to knee soreness, but it's unclear if that is related to the injury suffered on Wednesday. The severity of Brazzell's injury is unknown right now, but if it's relatively minor, he'll have plenty of time still before the start of the 2026 regular season begins. If it's a significant injury that causes Brazzell to miss the start of his rookie campaign, it will be good news for Xavier Legette, who would essentially be locked in as the team's WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Brazzell came into training camp expected to challenge Legette for the WR3 immediately.

6 hours ago

Jonathon Brooks • RB • Panthers

Jonathon Brooks "Looking Twitchy" at Training Camp

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks caught a pass from quarterback Bryce Young in the flat, stuck his foot in the ground, and knifed through a couple of defenders for a big gain during training camp practice on Tuesday, according to Kyle Bailey. Brooks is "looking twitchy" so far in camp as he looks to get involved in 2026 following two ACL tears in his first two seasons in the league. The Panthers took the 23-year-old in the second round (46th overall) in 2024 from the University of Texas, but he has played in just three games for the organization. He has been impressing head coach Dave Canales so far, and he could earn RB2 duties behind Chuba Hubbard if he continues on this trajectory. Brooks' elite burst and elusiveness before his two ACL tears had drawn him comparisons to Jamaal Charles, and he's also an adept pass-catcher out of the backfield. There is still untapped potential here, but expect the Panthers to ease him into a complementary role behind Hubbard, at least early on in 2026. Fantasy managers definitely shouldn't forget about Brooks, though, and he has potential to be a sneaky RB3/flex option in point-per-reception leagues. RotoBaller has Brooks ranked as the No. 40 fantasy RB.

Yesterday

Mitchell Evans • TE • Panthers

Mitchell Evans Carted Off on Tuesday With Leg Injury

Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans (leg) injured his left leg in 11-on-11 team drills in training camp practice on Tuesday and was carted off the field, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The specific nature of Evans' injury is unclear, but it doesn't look good. The 23-year-old was taken in the fifth round in last year's NFL draft out of Notre Dame, and he caught 19 of his 25 targets for just 171 yards and two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) in his first year in the NFL with Carolina. Evans was expected to once again take on a rotational role at tight end with the Panthers in his second year in the league behind top pass-catching TE option Ja'Tavion Sanders, which makes Evans avoidable in pretty much all fantasy leagues. Hopefully, Evans avoids a potentially season-ending leg injury. UPDATE: Evans likely just suffered a rolled ankle on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press' Steve Reed.

Yesterday

Jaycee Horn • CB • Panthers

Jaycee Horn Cleared to Practice

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (toe) has been activated from the Non-Football Injury list and cleared to practice in the team's first padded session of the summer. Horn injured his toe while running before camp, requiring stitches, but with the Panthers playing in the year's Hall of Fame Game, they were one of the earliest teams to report for training camp, and so the two-time Pro Bowler returns to work before some teams have even held their first practice. Horn had a career-high five touchdowns in 2025 and could see more big-play opportunities after the team invested heavily on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, bringing in defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd.

Yesterday

Xavier Legette • WR • Panthers

Xavier Legette Turning Heads in Training Camp

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette's performance in training camp practice was impressive, per Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340. Legette is in the beginning stages of a critical summer, as the former first-round pick is likely fighting to retain his starting role in 2026. Across 15 games (12 starts) last season, Legette recorded 35 catches for 363 yards and four touchdowns on 64 targets. Carolina used a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (knee), who could push Legette for the Panthers' WR3 role behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. However, Brazzell II was held out of Sunday's practice due to knee soreness, while Legette reportedly had a great day. It's still early, but the battle between Legette and Brazzell II will be one for deep-league and dynasty managers to monitor throughout the summer.

2 days ago

Chris Brazzell II • WR • Panthers

Chris Brazzell II Held Out With Knee Soreness

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (knee) was held out of practice because of soreness, according to the Charlotte Observer. Head coach Dave Canales indicated the day off was precautionary, and there has been no report of a longer absence. Carolina selected Brazzell with the 83rd overall pick in April after he caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns during his final season at Tennessee. The 6-foot-4 rookie is competing with Xavier Legette and others for receiver snaps after making a strong impression during the offseason program. Missing practice costs Brazzell a useful camp rep as Carolina sorts out the depth chart, but the early indication is that the team was simply being careful. His participation in the next session should provide a better idea of whether the soreness is already behind him.

3 days ago

Trevor Etienne • RB • Panthers

Trevor Etienne Still Has Work to Do for Redraft Value

Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne remains a long shot for useful redraft work after barely touching the offense as a rookie. He appeared in all 17 games, but 20 carries for 94 yards and three catches for 13 yards were the extent of his production. Special teams kept him active. It did not move him any closer to Chuba Hubbard, who enters camp as Carolina's clear lead back. Jonathon Brooks is also back after missing last season with his second ACL tear, and the early camp reports have been encouraging. The Panthers added AJ Dillon, too, although the veteran is fighting for a roster spot rather than walking into a guaranteed role. Etienne still has speed, youth, and fourth-round draft capital on his side. He also has to prove he can earn more than a handful of offensive snaps. RotoBaller ranks him RB84 for redraft, which is where he belongs until the backfield starts opening up. He is a preseason watch-list player in deeper formats, not someone managers need to force into ordinary drafts.

3 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan • WR • Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan to be Used More in the Slot This Year

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Friday that rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II's size and speed will allow the team to use second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan in the slot more in 2026, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers took McMillan with the eighth overall pick last year out of the University of Arizona, and he immediately delivered, catching 70 of 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 starts to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. The 23-year-old Hawaiian native will be the Panthers' unquestioned WR1 again in 2026, and Carolina's ability to move him around in Year 2 could make him even more exciting for fantasy purposes. McMillan is a full-go at training camp, too, after he dealt with some minor ankle soreness during the offseason program. The addition of Brazzell will create more competition for targets, but McMillan's volume should remain high enough to make him a solid WR2 target with upside for more in 2026 fantasy football drafts. He's currently ranked as RotoBaller's No. 23 fantasy WR.

5 days ago

Xavier Legette • WR • Panthers

Xavier Legette has Fallen Off of Fantasy Draft Boards

A first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette has yet to deliver on his lofty draft capital, and he appears to be trending in the wrong direction heading into Year 3. With the top two spots on Carolina's receiver depth chart locked up by Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, Legette finds himself battling for a rotational role with free agent acquisition John Metchie III and 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II. With the Panthers taking part in this year's Hall of Fame Game, training camp practices have already begun in Charlotte, and the battle for the team's third receiver spot will be one to monitor. Though even if Legette emerges as a runaway winner, the role could still hold little value in Carolina's low-passing-volume offense. Held to only 35 receptions and 363 yards a season ago, fantasy expectations remain low for Legette, and he falls outside of RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026.

5 days ago

Ja'Tavion Sanders • TE • Panthers

Ja'Tavion Sanders Unlikely to Factor into 2026 Fantasy Draft Plans

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was limited to only 12 games in 2025 as he dealt with a high-ankle sprain early in the year before breaking his fibula in Week 17. While he showed some promising flashes, whether because of his injuries or an offensive system that has not asked much of its tight ends in the passing game, Sanders was never a consistent contributor, failing to reach 35 receiving yards in any game after Week 2 and being held out of the end zone until Week 16. Sanders is fully recovered from his late-season injury, and while the Panthers did not make any meaningful additions to the position through free agency or the draft, head coach Dave Canales has never had a tight end reach 50 receptions, 500 yards, or five touchdowns in his time as play caller for either the Panthers or Buccaneers. Despite his obvious physical abilities, any calls for a Year 3 breakout from Sanders involve a fair amount of wishful projection, and he is likely a player that will start the year on waivers in most 2026 redraft leagues.

5 days ago

Nic Scourton • OLB • Panthers

Nic Scourton Suffers Torn ACL, Out for 2026 Season

Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton (knee) suffered a torn ACL during Thursday's practice and will miss the entire 2026 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Scourton was carted off after going down late in the Panthers' first training camp practice, which ended early after players gathered around him. The injury wipes out what was shaping up to be a larger role for the second-year defender alongside Jaelan Phillips. Scourton played all 17 games as a rookie, starting eight and tying Derrick Brown for the team lead with five sacks. He also recorded 47 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Patrick Jones II and Princely Umanmielen are among the Panthers' remaining options on the edge, but replacing Scourton's expected production will not be easy. He can be moved to injured reserve in dynasty IDP leagues and dropped in redraft formats.

6 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan • WR • Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan Practicing at Training Camp

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (foot), who missed most of spring workouts with a foot injury, was seen in uniform and practicing on Thursday in the team's first training camp practice, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The Panthers held McMillan out of offseason workouts as a precaution, and he should be full-go for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season this fall. The 23-year-old former eighth overall pick last year out of the University of Arizona was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025 after catching 70 of his 122 targets for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts as he immediately became Carolina's WR1. With added muscle and a more versatile role -- he could play out of the slot more in 2026 -- the Hawaiian native could be poised to build on his impressive rookie campaign. Target McMillan as a low-end WR2 with upside to jump into the WR1 tier if he continues to improve as a sophomore.

6 days ago

Jonathon Brooks • RB • Panthers

Jonathon Brooks Seeing First-Team Reps in Training Camp

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks is seeing action with the first-team offense during the team's first day of training camp practices on Thursday, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. A second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Brooks played in just three games as a rookie before suffering a knee injury that knocked him out for the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025. However, the 23-year-old appears to be fully healthy heading into 2026. The Panthers have veteran back Chuba Hubbard atop their running back depth chart, but the team let running back Rico Dowdle walk in free agency. Dowdle collected 1,373 scrimmage yards and seven touchdowns on 275 touches for Carolina in 2025, leaving plenty of production on the table for Brooks to potentially step into in 2026. Brooks averaged over six yards per carry during his college career at Texas and was considered a high-end running back prospect before the injury issues. If he can stay healthy and put together a solid preseason, his fantasy stock will continue to rise throughout the summer.

6 days ago

Chuba Hubbard • RB • Panthers

Chuba Hubbard a Low-Upside Pick in the Middle Rounds of 2026 Drafts

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard has proven fully capable of handling lead back responsibilities, but without any special elements to his profile, he has no guarantees of holding onto the role once challenged for it. In an injury-plagued 2025 season, he was overtaken on the depth chart by Rico Dowdle, and now with Dowdle out the door in free agency, he'll face competition from 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks. A series of serious knee injuries have limited Brooks to only nine total carries in his professional career, but he comes into year three as healthy as he's been since the start of his final collegiate season, and he represents the much higher ceiling out of the Panthers backfield. Hubbard and Brooks are going within four running back spots of one another by current ADP, and while Hubbard will likely see the opportunity to begin the season in a starting role, his grasp on the job should be considered tentative. As RotoBaller's RB28, the sixth-year veteran has fallen to an area of drafts where fantasy managers would be better suited taking higher-upside swings, and coincidentally, one such candidate can be found in Hubbard's own running back room.

6 days ago

Jaycee Horn • CB • Panthers

Jaycee Horn Expected to Come Off NFI List Soon

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said on Wednesday that cornerback Jaycee Horn (foot) is expected to come off the Non-Football Injury list in "a matter of days," according to NFL.com. Horn was placed on the NFI list by the Panthers after recently suffering a cut on his foot, but it's not serious, and Horn should be ready to roll for the start of the 2026 regular season. The 26-year-old former eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of the University of South Carolina was named a Pro Bowler in 2025 for the second straight season in his fifth year with the Panthers after recording 37 tackles (26 solo), a career-high five interceptions, and eight pass breakups in 16 regular-season starts. Horn was once again a big part of a Carolina defense that helped get the team to the postseason last year.

6 days ago

Jalen Coker • WR • Panthers

Jalen Coker Profiles as a Top Redraft Sleeper Entering 2026

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker had his 2025 campaign disrupted by a preseason quad injury, which forced him to miss Carolina's first six games. Coker finished the year with modest numbers, recording 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns on 43 targets across 11 contests. Still, the Panthers reaffirmed their commitment to the 24-year-old over the offseason, signing him to a three-year, $35 million contract extension. Entering 2026, Coker profiles as the clear WR2 in Carolina alongside Tetairoa McMillan. He's also riding a strong finish to the 2025 season, as he recorded 28 catches for 378 yards and four scores on 36 targets over his final six games played, including the postseason. Coker may not have true superstar upside, but he's a sleeper to target at his current redraft ADP of WR63.

7 days ago

Chris Brazzell II • WR • Panthers

Chris Brazzell II Set to Compete for WR3 Role in Training Camp

Anthony Rizzuti of Panthers Wire writes that Carolina Panthers rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II will be competing with Xavier Legette for the WR3 role this summer in training camp behind second-year wideout Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Legette, a former first-rounder, is running out of chances to prove himself, so he could quickly fall out of favor if Brazzell impresses during camp. The University of Tennessee will bring more of a speed element to the Panthers' offense, which is something they've been missing, so that could help set him apart from Legette as he heads into his first NFL campaign. Brazzell impressed head coach Dave Canales while developing chemistry with QB Bryce Young during offseason workouts, but he'll need to keep it going when the pads go on in camp. In 2025 with the Volunteers, Brazzell was an All-SEC first-team selection after catching 62 passes for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns in 12 games. He's just inside RotoBaller's top-100 WR rankings for 2026, but his ADP could skyrocket if he's named the WR3 before the start of the season.

7 days ago

Tetairoa McMillan • WR • Panthers

Tetairoa McMillan May Be Overvalued by Current Redraft ADP

The eighth overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan recorded 70 catches for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns on 122 targets across 17 games as a rookie. By measure of per-game PPR scoring, McMillan finished the year as a low-end WR2. Entering 2026, the 23-year-old remains the clear number one option in the Panthers' passing game. However, he could see more target competition this season. Carolina should get a full season out of wide receiver Jalen Coker, who missed six games due to injury in 2025. The team also used a third-round pick in the 2026 Draft on wideout Chris Brazzell II. Perhaps most importantly, the Panthers have been a run-heavy team since head coach Dave Canales took over in 2024. Over the past two seasons, Carolina quarterback Bryce Young is averaging just 28.7 pass attempts per game. While McMillan has clear upside, he may be slightly overvalued at his current redraft ADP of WR15.

Jul 21

Jaycee Horn • CB • Panthers

Jaycee Horn Set to Open Training Camp on NFI List

Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (foot) will be placed on the non-football injury list this week after suffering a cut on his foot that required stitches, per Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. Gantt also reports that Horn is expected to return "early during training camp," so it appears the injury is not particularly serious. Horn has made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons, recording 26 solo tackles and five interceptions across 16 games in 2025. The 26-year-old is a critical piece of the Panthers' defense, as the team signed him to a four-year, $100 million contract extension before the start of the 2025 season. It does not seem as though Horn is in danger of missing regular-season time, but fantasy managers in IDP leagues should still check back for further updates on his progress as the summer progresses.

Jul 21

Jonathon Brooks • RB • Panthers

Jonathon Brooks Sees ADP Skyrocket

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks hasn't been much of a thought to fantasy managers over the last few seasons. In fact, Brooks hasn't played in a game since making three appearances during the 2024 season. The former second-round pick has been sidelined since then due to two knee injuries. The hope is that Brooks can put the knee injuries behind him and return to form in 2026. If healthy, there is a clear path for Brooks to become the No. 1 back in Carolina. Rico Dowdle is no longer with the team, and Chuba Hubbard is looking to bounce back after a lackluster 2025 season. The expectation is that Brooks will get a real chance to prove he's capable of being the top back in Carolina. He's only 23 years old and was an unstoppable force during his college days at Texas. Given the Panthers lack of depth at the position, it's not surprising to see Brooks ADP skyrocketing this offseason.

Jul 20

Carolina Panthers News

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