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The Carolina Panthers reportedly received a scare Sunday when rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette suffered a leg injury.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported X-rays were negative, while an MRI ruled out a fracture in his foot, per Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer.
Legette is considered day-to-day.
Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted the injury was not related to the hamstring injury that Legette suffered during the spring that forced him to miss some time.
Any setback to the South Carolina product is concerning for the Panthers, as they used a first-round pick on him after a breakout season with the Gamecocks. He finished with 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns.
It was the first time in his collegiate career that he tallied more than 167 receiving yards in a season.
If healthy, Legette is expected to play a significant role for a Panthers team looking to bounce back from a 2-15 record in 2023. Carolina needs more playmakers around quarterback Bryce Young if the young signal-caller is going to live up to expectations, and Legette is someone who fits the bill on paper.
While veterans Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson will see plenty of playing time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Legette starts and features in three-receiver sets.
That makes his offseason development all the more important, which puts this injury under the spotlight.
Ideally for the Panthers, the MRI will not reveal anything significant and he can return to the field sooner rather than later.
Carolina starts the 2024 season on Sept. 8 against the New Orleans Saints, and its preseason opener is on Thursday against the New Orleans Saints.
Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff WriterSep 20, 2024, 01:41 AM ETCloseRich Cimini is a staff writer who covers the New York Jets and the NFL at ESPN. Rich has covered the
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