Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette has gotten off to a slow NFL start this season.
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 08: Xavier Legette #17 of the Carolina Panthers warms up before an NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales is taking the Xavier Legette situation “personally.”
Legette, a second-year wide receiver, has endured a rough two-week opening to the NFL season. The 2024 first-round draft pick posted four receptions for eight yards on 15 targets this season. During Sunday’s loss to the host Arizona Cardinals, Legette logged one catch for minus-2 yards on eight targets, marking the second time in NFL history a player lost yardage on at least eight targets.
“It’s not all on X,” said Canales, who started his career as a wide receiver coach. “This is me too. I take it personally.
“For all the guys, remember who you are, remember what you’ve been at your best and you’ll do that again. That’s this type of self-talk that you have to have and believe, that if I continue to work I’ll do that again.”
Caught on video strolling slowly back to the huddle on a key play late in the second quarter, Legette drew a barrage of social media criticism. After receiving the offense’s lowest overall Week 2 grade (47.9), per Pro Football Focus, Legette declined to face the media Monday and Wednesday.
Quarterback Bryce Young defended Legette (hamstring), who was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
“I have all the confidence in the world in him,” Young said Wednesday. “He’s going to be great for us. He’s a huge part of this offense. I’m excited for the weeks following for him.”
Rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan declared he was not concerned.
“I’m not worried about him at all,” McMillan said. “I know that come Sunday, he’s going to show up.
“He’s a confident dude and he’s staying confident regardless of the outcome, regardless of whatever’s going on.”
Canales said he expected Legette to play during Sunday’s home opener against the Atlanta Falcons (1-1). The Panthers are 0-2 for the fourth straight season.
Carolina Panthers Rookie Jimmy Horn Jr. Wants To Be No. 1
Jimmy Horn Jr. walked through the locker room donning a No. 1 jersey.
“Number change?” the rookie wide receiver was asked.
“Nah, scout team work,” Horn responded.
A moment later, while standing at his locker, Horn offered his thoughts on moving on from his current No. 15 designation.
“I’m about to get that thing (No. 1 jersey),” said Horn, who was a healthy scratch the first two weeks of the season.
“Good luck,” he was told.
During Wednesday’s post-practice press conference, Canales was asked what Horn needed to do to make his debut. The sixth-round draft pick was an offseason program standout.
“Yeah, we’re evaluating Jimmy every week,” Canales said. “And he’s just gotta continue to grow and wait for his opportunity. And it’s a full team thing. Where does he fit? How does he fit? And that’s the part that (GM) Dan (Morgan) and I and the coaching staff talk about weekly.”