Chris Brazzell II

Chris Brazzell II News

Panthers place Chris Brazzell on Inured Reserve, Officially Ending His Season

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Carolina Panthers have placed rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell (knee) on injured reserve, officially ending his season. The 22-year-old suffered a torn LCL in his left knee on a noncontact play during training camp on Wednesday. The Panthers selected Brazzell with the 83rd overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Brazzell offered a rare combination of size and speed to the Carolina offense, which would have allowed for Tetairoa McMillan to be moved around the formation more often. McMillan has spoken publicly about wanting to play from the slot more often to get the ball in his hands and create more mismatches. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until 2027 to see both 6'4 receivers on the field at the same time.

Jul 31, 2026 11:54 AM EST

Chris Brazzell II to Undergo Season-Ending Knee Surgery

Carolina Panthers rookie third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (knee) will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee, a league source with knowledge of the situation told Joseph Person of The Athletic. The Panthers initially planned to go with a non-surgical path for Brazzell's moderate LCL tear, which would have kept him out for two months. But after receiving a second opinion, they have decided to do what's best for the young wideout's long-term health. The University of Tennessee product injured his knee during 7-on-7 drills in training camp practice on Wednesday. It's a tough break for the 6-foot-4 pass-catcher, as he entered camp with a realistic chance to unseat Xavier Legette for WR3 duties in 2026 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Legette will now obviously be the favorite for the No. 3 receiver job, although he could face competition from David Moore and John Metchie III, who played with quarterback Bryce Young at Alabama. Fantasy managers can avoid Brazzell now in all single-year leagues.

Jul 30, 2026 9:45 AM EST

Chris Brazzell Suffers LCL Tear, Expected to Miss Up to Eight Weeks

Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers third-round rookie Chris Brazzell II (knee) suffered a moderate LCL tear in his left knee in training camp practice on Wednesday and is expected to miss up to eight weeks, a league source with knowledge of the situation told Joe Person of The Athletic. Brazzell's injury is believed to be unrelated to his earlier knee issue in camp over the weekend. The 22-year-old from the University of Tennessee will now most likely miss all of training camp and the start of his first year in the NFL, which will drastically affect his redraft fantasy value going into the start of the 2026 campaign. When healthy, Brazzell was expected to compete with Xavier Legette for the team's WR3 role behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Before his injury, Brazzell had impressed the coaching staff in the offseason and was looking like a real threat to steal playing time from Legette. With the news, Legette could become more of a late-round sleeper target after a disappointing 84-860-7 line in 31 games in his first two seasons in the NFL after the Panthers took him in the first round (32nd overall) in 2024 from South Carolina.

Jul 29, 2026 10:16 AM EST

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.

Jul 29, 2026 8:03 AM EST

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.

Jul 26, 2026 10:39 AM EST

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.

Jul 22, 2026 9:23 AM EST

Chris Brazzell II Emerging as a Late-Round Redraft Sleeper

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was one of the most productive pass-catchers in the country in his final collegiate season at the University of Tennessee, hauling in 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns across 12 games. Carolina selected Brazzell II in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he could have a chance to see significant playing time right away. Heading into 2026, Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are firmly established as the top two wide receivers on the Panthers' depth chart. Going into training camp, Brazzell II will likely be behind 2024 first-rounder Xavier Legette on the team's wide receiver depth chart as well. However, Legette has provided underwhelming production to this point in his career, failing to record either 50 catches or 500 receiving yards in either of his first two NFL seasons. With a strong showing this summer, Brazzell II could leapfrog Legette. As the WR94 by current redraft ADP, Brazzell II could be worth taking a shot on late in drafts.

Jul 18, 2026 11:24 AM EST

Chris Brazzell II's Dynasty Stock Rising Entering 2026

A third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II could have a chance to carve out an immediate role with his new team. Across 12 games for the University of Tennessee in 2025, Brazzell II recorded 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. The Panthers have Tetairoa McMillan locked in as their WR1 on the outside, and the team recently committed to slot wideout Jalen Coker with a multi-year contract extension. However, Brazzell II may enter training camp in a job battle with third-year Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette for the team's WR3 role. Legette has largely been a disappointment since being selected by Carolina in the first round of the 2024 draft, failing to reach 50 catches or 500 receiving yards in either of his first two NFL seasons. With a strong summer, Brazzell II could establish himself as a building block in the Panthers passing game. Entering 2026, Brazzell II ranks as RotoBaller's dynasty WR67.

Jun 26, 2026 8:21 AM EST

Chris Brazzell II a Year 1 Breakout Candidate in Carolina?

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Chris Brazzell II could have a path to immediate production during his rookie season, making him an intriguing pick in 2026 rookie drafts. The third-round pick is a flashy deep threat who uses his speed and acceleration to win matchups against defenders. His ability to get open could help him get on the field early in the season, especially in a wide receiver room where the No. 2 role is up for grabs. Tetairoa McMillan is the clear alpha receiver here, but Brazzell could push to earn more snaps over players like Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette. If that happens, he'll be one of the biggest steals of 2026 fantasy football drafts. At the moment, he projects as an early-to-mid second-round pick in rookie drafts, and he ranks as the WR67 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

Jun 2, 2026 9:51 AM EST

Panthers Select Chris Brazzell II in the Third Round

The Carolina Panthers have selected University of Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II with the 83rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-4 pass catcher opened his collegiate career at Tulane before transferring to Tennessee. In 12 games last season, he caught 62 passes for 1,017 yards and an SEC-leading nine touchdowns. Brazzell was a vertical receiver who stretched the field at school, but he's capable of flashing versatility and occupying a variety of roles. That will fit nicely in a Carolina receiver room that already features Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette. Brazzell might not have fantasy relevance as soon as Week 1 in his rookie season, but there's plenty of long-term upside here. He ranks as the WR68 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

Apr 24, 2026 6:25 PM EST