Should I Start Xavier Legette?

Monday, August 24, 11:03 AM

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) will remain in a walking boot until Thursday, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press. Legette suffered an ankle injury in last Wednesday's joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars and will most likely sit out the preseason finale this Friday against the Houston Texans. It is bad news as the 25-year-old looks to solidify the WR3 role in Carolina behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, but there is not any reason to believe that he will not be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. The 25-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 from South Carolina has disappointed in his first two years in the NFL, catching 84 of his 148 targets for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 games (25 starts). Legette regressed in 2025 with a 35-363-3 line after the team took McMillan in the first round of last year's draft. He should still have a role in the Panthers' offense in 2026 if he is healthy, but the volume is unlikely to be enough to make him rosterable in 12-team fantasy leagues.