Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette suffered an injury just before halftime of his team’s Week 9 game against the New Orleans Saints. Here’s the latest on the first-round rookie wide receiver.
What Happened to Xavier Legette?
Legette grabbed his left hand and wrist after hauling in a pass for zero yards at the two-minute warning in the second quarter of Sunday’s game.
He appeared to suffer an injury after being tackled by Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor.
Xavier Legette –
Some reports have speculated wrist, but looks a little more like a Left shoulder injury. Possible subluxation/dislocation.
He did grab low by his hand but players often do that to brace their arm. Hopefully we get more information.
He’s in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/Qj0eFCW6TK— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) November 3, 2024
Legette jogged off the field and immediately entered Carolina’s locker room. Given that the game was so close to halftime, it’s highly possible he went to the locker room to be evaluated rather than entering the medical tent along the Panthers’ sideline.
Carolina subsequently announced that Legette was dealing with a hand injury.
Legette became the Panthers’ de facto No. 1 wide receiver when the club traded fellow wideout Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens last week. Before departing in Week 9, Legette had received just two targets from Bryce Young, but one resulted in a touchdown.
Fortunately, Legette returned to the game in the third quarter, and he finished the game with four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown. The No. 32 overall pick now has four touchdowns over the last six weeks.
After the game, Legette was asked about his hand.
“It’s hurting, but I’m gonna be alright,” Legette said. “It’s a little sore, but I’m good.”
Xavier Legette says he’s “still thinking about” that catch he had ripped away for an interception.
He wouldn’t blame his injured hand for it, though.
Credit to @josephperson and @KeepBlitzin for the questions. pic.twitter.com/xEhewUulMw
— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) November 3, 2024
Late in the game, Legette had the ball ripped away on an interception by Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles. When asked after the game if his injured hand affected him on the play, the rookie wideout refused to use his injury as an excuse.
“Nah, I wouldn’t put it on that. It was just a freakish play,” Legette said. “I’m still trying to figure out how he was able to make that play. I gotta make plays like that.”
Fortunately, it seems that Legette is fine and, following the trade of Johnson, he’ll continue to operate as the Panthers’ WR1 going forward.
Fantasy Analysis for Xavier Legette
Xavier Legette scored before getting hurt and, following the trade of Diontae Johnson, profiles as the lead receiver in this very limited offense. Rookie tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has seen his usage increase over the past month, but not to the level of fantasy relevance.
The name to invest in here, regardless of Legette’s status, is Jalen Coker. The 6’3″ weapon out of Holy Cross scored in the Week 8 loss to the Broncos and had a pair of 18-yard grabs in the first half of Week 9. He’s not going to be a stable source of production, but in playing for a team that trails as often as anyone, he’s firmly on the Flex radar for the second half of the fantasy season.
— PFN Analyst Kyle Soppe
PFN+ Analysis of Legette’s Injury
Legette’s rookie season has started unconvincingly. He ranks 60th in WR+, yet he’s the Panthers’ second-best WR this year and narrowly ranked above Johnson before he was sent to Baltimore.
Legette’s best asset this season has been in the red zone, where he has been targeted on 31.6% of his routes inside the 20-yard line. Outside of that, he’s been outplayed by fellow rookie Jalen Coker, who has been one of the most efficient receivers with his limited opportunities this year.
Coker currently ranks third in WR+ this season.
— PFN Analyst Ben Rolfe