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USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What to watch for in the Panthers' preseason game vs. Texans on Saturday
The heat is on for the Carolina Panthers this week . . . but in a more literal sense. Thursday's joint practice with the Houston Texans was a hot one, as both teams powered through some sweltering conditions to get their work in. That sweat-filled session has helped set the stage for their preseason matchup on Saturday, where we'll be keeping an eye on a handful of potentially interesting developments. Here are four things to watch for in this weekend's exhibition contest between the Panthers and Texans . . . First team, Take Two Carolina's starters, particularly on offense, offered up a solid showing in their preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns last Friday. Bryce Young, one of the best quarterbacks Houston's C.J. Stroud has ever seen in his life, lived up to that billing—completing four of his six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown. Two of those completions and 43 of those yards found 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan, who wowed with his impressive 30-yard reception on the first play of the team's second possession. Not as impressive was 2024's first-round pick Xavier Legette, who was ejected for engaging in a bout of fisticuffs with Browns safety Rayshawn Jenkins. Legette probably wants to punch back into the picture after having himself a stellar practice against the Texans on Thursday. So can the offensive starters, who may see as many as three drives, keep it rolling? And can Legette factor in following a disappointing preseason debut? Taking the bulls by the horns As for the other starting half, we'll be focusing in on the pass rush—which should have a number of opportunities to get home. Houston's offensive line may very well be the worst in the NFL. An already shaky unit from 2024 lost the likes of left tackle Laremy Tunsil and right guard Shaq Mason and now, in 2025, appear much weaker on paper. Carolina's pass rush was also unreliable last season, where they mustered up a league-low 15.2-percent pressure rate. Veteran starters D.J. Wonnum and Pat Jones II are projected to lead the charge this year, and could ignite a charge on Saturday afternoon. 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton, who had himself a phenomenal performance versus Cleveland in Week 1, is certainly worth a featured look as well. Hopefully, the rookie will be able to suit up after being carted away from Thursday's outing due to heat-related symptoms. All the way back? That charge could include defensive lineman Derrick Brown, who might finally be back in the lineup for his preseason debut. Brown went down after 2024's regular-season opener against the New Orleans Saints, as a knee injury kept him out of the team's remaining 16 games. His absence contributed to what ended up being a historically bad defense, which allowed an NFL-record 534 points and a league-high (by a country mile) 179.8 rushing yards per contest. Mind you, this came the season after Brown set a new single-season record for tackles by a defensive lineman (103) en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. If Brown is back, then we'll get a sneak peek of what this revamped front could look like. Kickin' it The biggest training camp battle for Carolina came to an end on Monday, when head coach Dave Canales named Austin Corbett the starting center over Cade Mays. But there are still a few competitions left, including the one at kicker. As of now, the veteran journeyman Matthew Wright seems to have the lead over undrafted rookie Ryan Fitzgerald. Not only has Wright been listed as the No. 1 boot on both of the team's first two depth charts, but he's also been more consistent in recent practices. Both converted on their lone tries in the preseason opener, with Wright making an extra point in the first quarter and Fitzgerald a 32-yard field goal in the fourth. So as far as the in-game results go, we're close. Saturday, however, could present an opportunity for Wright to put this baby away or for Fitzgerald to make a push. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
NBC Sports
09-08-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Bryce Young fantasy football preview 2025: Stats, season outlook, predictions
Rotoworld Staff, Bryce Young 2025 Fantasy Football Snapshot Young rebounded after early benching last year but remained limited by supporting cast. WR core now includes rookie McMillan with Legette and Thielen. Run-heavy approach keeps Young in superflex QB2 range without big leap. Get personalized fantasy football insights based on your league settings with FantasyLife+. Your league is unique, your advice should be too. Head to and use code ROTO20 for 20% off. Kyle Dvorchak, 2024: Young was benched after two absolutely dreadful starts where he was picked three times against no touchdowns. The world wrote him off, and he did not write back. Reclaiming the job after Andy Dalton got into a car accident, Young played out the final 10 games of the season with a 4-6 record, 61.8 percent completion rate, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. Carolina's poor talent around Young in the passing game held him back, as among other things he should have had a game-winning touchdown throw against the Eagles that Xavier Legette simply dropped. What's changed: Major upgrades in that wideout corps, for one thing. The Panthers drafted Tetairoa McMillan with their top-10 pick, giving Young a top three of McMillan, Legette, and Adam Thielen. The Panthers will be hoping Legette and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders can take leaps forward in their second season, and that last year's offensive line additions don't show any regression. 2025 Outlook: The Panthers are feisty, but it sure seems like what they do best is run the ball. That makes it hard to forecast Young as more than a superflex QB2 without major growth, and as much as we saw growth late last season, it's not like Young has physical talent that has gone unexpressed so far. We don't believe Young is going to be a bad real life player this year, but it would be a stretch to believe he'd be fantasy-interesting. **Projections from Spotlight Sports Group Go to: All players | QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
4 Panthers players who are under the most pressure in 2025
The Carolina Panthers may not be in "win-now mode" just yet, but the burden to break their losing ways remains heavy. Not since 2017 has the team clinched a playoff berth. That seven-year drought, now the longest such streak in franchise history, has yielded zero winning seasons and a combined record of 36-80. And even despite finishing the first campaign under their new regime on an encouraging note, the Panthers should be feeling some pressure over the coming months. Here are the four players who may be feeling it most here in 2025 . . . QB Bryce Young Young put his nightmarish start to 2024 behind him with a strong resurgence down the stretch. The 23-year-old totaled 2,327 yards, 20 touchdowns and six picks over the season's final 10 outings, helping lead the Panthers to a relatively respectable 4-6 mark. But Young will need more than just a 10-game sample to really scrub his underwhelming rookie campaign and last year's benching away. Luckily, he's in a pretty good spot to do so in Year No. 3—where he should benefit from the continuity under head coach Dave Canales as well as the capabilities of a solid offensive line and wideout room. If the former No. 1 overall pick cannot prove he's the franchise quarterback the organization drafted him to be, then Carolina might have to pivot at the position for 2026. WR Xavier Legette That aforementioned wideout room includes Legette—who, unlike Young, didn't inspire much hope to close out last season. The 2024 first-rounder amassed just 497 receiving yards while leading the team with eight drops—one of which cost the Panthers a huge upset win over the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Legette failed to stake his claim as the No. 1 target, a role that'll likely be seized by 2025 first-round selection Tetairoa McMillan. He might also lose ground to fellow second-year receiver Jalen Coker, who was more consistent as a rookie. 2025, however, will offer up a fresh slate for Legette. He should be healthier than he was in 2024 and should have a more defined role, perhaps as a Deebo Samuel-type weapon, in Carolina's growing offense. OT Taylor Moton The Panthers don't seem to be committed to Moton beyond the upcoming campaign. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, some within the organization have questioned the ninth-year veteran's ability to maintain his health moving forward. Moton, who turns 31 in August, missed the first three games of his NFL career in 2024 because of triceps and knee injuries. As he enters the final year of his contract, Moton might have to prove to Carolina—and maybe the rest of next offseason's tackle-needy teams—that he can still handle the wear and tear of the trenches. OLB D.J. Wonnum All things considered, Wonnum gave a decent account of himself in the first season of his two-year deal in Carolina. Even after missing a bit more time than expected due to complications from multiple quadriceps surgeries, he still managed to post 4.0 sacks and 22 pressures over eight contests. He'll likely head into the regular season as one of two starters off the edge for the Panthers. But Wonnum could eventually see his duties overtaken by Nic Scourton or Princely Umanmielen, the team's promising picks from Day 2 of the 2025 draft. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
New York Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Panthers receiver Xavier Legette helped stranded person on ATV in wild scene
The latest viral video of Xavier Legette proves why the Panthers wide receiver already emerged as one of the NFL's most lovable players. Legette was out and about with a friend when he noticed a man stuck with his ATV in a muddy stream, and the wideout jumped into action to help. 'Don't let [the ATV] stop!' Legette yelled out from the banks of the stream, directing the man on how best to get the vehicle out of the water. Advertisement 5 Panthers receiver Xavier Legette helps a man get his ATV out of the mud. @NFL_DovKleiman/X After the man unsuccessfully tried to rev the ATV up and out of the water for a few more seconds, Legette eventually took matters into his own hands. He jumped into the water and waded over to the ATV as a third man, Legette's friend, narrated from the grass: 'Damn, my boy's got to get dirty today!' Advertisement Legette and the owner of the ATV grabbed onto the vehicle and began trying to yank it out of the mud, but the video ends before the outcome of the situation is made clear. Nonetheless, fans on social media showed respect to the 24-year-old, who just completed his rookie season in Carolina. 5 Legette prepares to enter the water. @NFL_DovKleiman/X Advertisement 5 Legette helps the man. @NFL_DovKleiman/X 'He's a good ole country boy,' wrote one fan on X. 'The world needs more like him.' 'It's impossible to hate this guy,' said another. 5 Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette on the Kentucky Derby red carpet on May 3. Maggie Huber/Special to Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Advertisement Legette, who is from Mullins, S.C., went viral after last year's NFL Draft for his thick southern accent, which fans found charming and lovable. He's also long had a love for riding horses, and owns a quarter horse named 'Dolla Bill.' 5 Panthers receiver Xavier Legette during a game against the Falcons on Jan. 5. Getty Images After making his first career touchdown catch, Legette celebrated by giddying up and pretending to ride Dolla Bill. He showed flashes of potential in his rookie season, hauling in 49 receptions for 497 yards and four touchdowns, but struggled with consistency and made his share of mistakes.
USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Panthers WR Xavier Legette looks incredible in summer workouts
The summer may mark the beginning of a breakout season for Carolina Panthers wideout Xavier Legette. After an up-and-down rookie campaign in 2024, Legette is looking to establish himself as a real and consistent force at the pro level here in 2025. And if his recent activity is any indication, then the 24-year-old receiver is primed to make quite a statement in the coming months. Here, with a guest appearance by fellow University of South Carolina Gamecock and Washington Commander Deebo Samuel, are a few clips of Legette putting in the work already this summer . . . Unfortunately, Legette's first year in the NFL was a bit spoiled by his ball security issues. The first-rounder, per Pro Football Focus, amassed a team-leading eight drops—with the most damaging one coming on what could have been a game-winning 32-yard touchdown against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. Legette might've also been slowed down by persistent wrist and foot injuries throughout 2024. President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan confirmed in February that Legette underwent a "little procedure" on his foot following the season. But luckily for Legette, that doesn't seem like much of an issue now. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
