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David Newton
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers large receiver Xavier Legette opened the preseason Friday evening with a success that earned him a disqualification.
Truly, it was a number of hits.
The 2024 first-round decide appeared to land 4 swings on Rayshawn Jenkins of the Browns when an prolonged block on a run play in opposition to the security went awry through the preseason opener for each groups, a 30-10 Cleveland win.
Jenkins, who ripped Legette’s helmet off whereas the receiver continued to dam after the play seemed to be over, was additionally disqualified.
Panthers coach Dave Canales was proper in entrance of the play.
“We ask our receivers to complete the play with fingers on. He was,” Canales stated. “He had his fingers on the man the entire time. By the echo of the whistle the man swung and chopped his arm down. Xavier simply form of held on to his jersey.
“Then they began exchanging punches. You may’t do this. … We wish to see higher from X.”
Legette was not within the locker room after the sport however apologized in a social media publish.
Panthers nation I apologize It need occur once more ‼️‼️ i appreCiate youu all🫡
— Xavier Legette (@XavierLegette) August 8, 2025
Legette, who did not have a catch earlier than his ejection, is coming off an underwhelming rookie season through which he had 49 catches on 84 targets and was among the many league leaders in dropped passes. His rookie 12 months was so up-and-down that the Panthers used the No. 8 decide of the 2025 draft on Arizona large receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who instantly assumed the No. 1 receiver function for quarterback Bryce Younger.
“It is soccer — it is a bodily sport,” Younger stated Friday evening. “X is an final competitor. It is part of the sport.”
Legette has been drawing consideration off the sector on social media — for rescuing a good friend caught within the mud on an ATV and for being afraid to get into the St. Croix River throughout a pre-training camp journey to Minnesota arrange by Younger and receiver Adam Thielen. Legette additionally attended the Kentucky Derby, the place he met celeb chef Man Fieri, with whom he would not share his total recipe for raccoon.
