Carolina

Panthers

Rookie WR Xavier Legette, struggling with a foot injury that could keep him out a while, is listed as a second-team option for Carolina. Mingo has drawn a surprising amount of praise and hype after a spectacularly awful rookie season in the Panthers offense. He had 43 catches for 418 scoreless yards as a full-time Carolina starter in 2023. It appears Mingo has a chance to start alongside Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson.

Legette will be sidelined this week after hurting his foot Sunday during practice. It’s a tough break for the rookie, who is widely considered raw and in need of practice and game action. Legette could be an afterthought to start the regular season if his foot injury lingers well into the preseason. Terrace Marshall could have an outside shot to functioning as a top-three wideout alongside Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson if Legette misses an extended period.

The imaging reportedly ruled out a fracture, though a firm return-to-play timeline was not given. The injury comes at an inopportune time, as preseason play is critical for rookie-season development. The incident gives WR Jonathan Mingo breathing room following his own 2023 rookie season flop.

Luton has not logged a regular season snap since playing three games as a 2020 sixth-round rookie. Although the severity of Dalton’s injury is currently unknown, the Panthers front office likely would have taken more drastic measures if it was considered serious.

HC Dave Canales did not seem overly concerned, telling reporters the team would “evaluate [Legette] this afternoon as a precaution.” Legette also dealt with a hamstring strain in early June. The 23-year-old rookie is widely considered an unrefined, size-speed prospect and an extended absence would bode poorly for his development. It is a situation worth monitoring.

Brown suffered a career-altering torn Achilles in 2022 and was released by both the Cowboys and 49ers before signing with the Panthers. He is likely to serve as a camp body as he pushes to make the team at the nickel corner position. The Panthers currently lack depth in the secondary behind starters Jaycee Horn, Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, and Dane Jackson, meaning the veteran could work his way into a backup role if he shows out in camp.

Things were already trending in this direction after the Panthers placed Brooks on the NFI list to open training camp. Brooks suffered a torn ACL late in his final season at Texas and has been on the mend ever since. Despite early hopes that he would be ready by the start of training camp, those hopes quickly faded after Brooks failed to get much work in during OTAs and minicamp. As long as he remains out, the Panthers figure to lean heavily on Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, with Hubbard expected to operate as the lead back. Canales has put emphasis on the running game all offseason and utilized Rachaad White heavily last season in Tampa Bay. Hubbard could have some nice value as a late-round fantasy pick that figures to see plenty of work in both the running and passing game.

It’s a reminder that 36-year-old Dalton is becoming increasingly injury prone as he ages. He’s an experienced but extremely low upside backup behind second-year project Bryce Young. This is one of the league’s most underwhelming quarterback rooms.

Penny, 28, is leaving the game a few months after signing with Carolina. A highly productive back out of San Diego State, Penny battled constant injuries during five seasons with the Seahawks. He finally emerged as an explosive lead back in the second half of the 2021 season, rushing for 672 yards and six scores in the season’s final six games. Penny spent one forgettable season with the Eagles. The Panthers backfield depth chart now includes Chuba Hubbard, rookie Jonathon Brooks, and Miles Sanders.

Franklin is a special teams ace who re-signed with the Panthers this offseason. Head coach Dave Canales called the loss of Franking “a big hit” due to the value he’s provided on special teams over the years. There’s a belief that Franklin will return at some point in the season, but it sounds like this will be the last we hear from him in training camp. We’ll likely know more about the severity of his injury and how long he’s expected to be out in the coming days.