Xavier Legette injury: Latest on Panthers rookie WR's status for game against Saints

Carolina's first-round NFL draft pick, former South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette is expected to play.

Tim Weaver | Nov 3, 2024

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 27: Cornerback Levi Wallace #39 of the Denver Broncos tackles Wide receiver Xavier Legette #17 of the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Empower Field at Mile High on October 27, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. / (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

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Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers will be taking the field later today to host the New Orleans Saints, who beat them by 37 points back in Week 1. A revenge game will require a lot of different moving parts to perform better than they did in the season opener, especially Carolina's rapidly-changing wide receiver corps.

Good news: while Diontae Johnson is gone and Adam Thielen has been ruled out, the Panthers will at least have rookie receiver Xavier Legette in the lineup. Legette is dealing with a toe injury and was listed as limited at both Thursday and Friday's practices for Carolina. However, he is expected to be in the lineup today, per Adam Schefter at ESPN.

Xavier Legette expected to play vs. Saints

Panthers WR Xavier Legette, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a toe injury, is expected to play vs Saints, per source.

Panthers have ruled out WR Adam Thielen for Suday’s game due to his hamstring injury, and rookie RB Jonathon Brooks due to his knee injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 3, 2024

After Diontae Johnson's team-leading 58 targets this season, Legette ranks second with 35, meaning he could about to see his workload increase significantly. Legette tied running back Miles Sanders for the most targets last week with seven.

However, Legette is not the only rookie receiver working his way up the depth chart. Last week it was actually undrafted rookie Jalen Coker who wound up leading the team with 78 receiving yards and a touchdown. With Thielen on the sidelines he should continue to see action in the slot.