Aug. 21, 2026, 11:09 p.m. ET
For the second straight preseason contest, the Carolina Panthers decided to roll out their starters for a little action. But not all of the first-stringers got out on the field at EverBank Stadium on Friday. Outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and wide receiver Xavier Legette were among the 12 Panthers who were ruled out prior to kickoff against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Dave Canales, following his team’s 34-17 win, would explain why. “There were a few guys who had some soreness.
We were gonna be sensitive with some of those guys—particularly Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd,” Canales told reporters. “Felt great finishing after the [joint] practice, but had a couple of other things sore.
We just decided to hold them out.”
Canales was then asked about Legette—who, along with his civilians, was sporting a boot on his right foot. “He got his ankle twisted up. He has some soreness in his foot,” he replied. “So, we evaluated him. Right now, we’re just gonna get him back going little by little. And hopefully, we’ll see him at the end of this week.
“But I can’t tell you exactly when he’s gonna be back. We’re just gonna have to take it day by day and kinda go with whatever’s happening in his foot.”
Legette is entering what many believe to be a make-or-break campaign. The 2024 first-rounder underwhelmed in his first two seasons, amassing just 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns. The Panthers have already lost a part of their wideout room for the year, as 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II sustained a season-ending LCL tear. Brazzell was set up to compete with Legette for the No.
3 spot on the depth chart behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
