Panthers coordinator is making one thing clear about Xavier Legette’s offensive role after making his return to practice
The Carolina Panthers brought some key reinforcements back to practice on Wednesday, including wide receiver Xavier Legette. However, offensive coordinator Brad Idzik set some clear expectations for the third-year pass catcher.
The Carolina Panthers brought some key reinforcements back to practice off the injured reserve on Wednesday, and among the group of returning players was third-year wide receiver Xavier Legette.
Legette has been out of action since the team’s Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons with a knee injury. A game in which Legette had a critical 55-yard completion before halftime to set up a field goal for Carolina. We all know the impact Legette can have in this offense, and getting him back will be huge for the team’s passing game.
“Special player and obviously a special ability with the stuff that he does in the deep game,” quarterback Bryce Young said after Wednesday’s practice. “But, intermediate, underneath as well with the ball in his hands. We’re excited for him to be back. We’re excited for what he brings to this offense.”
That being said, Legette is going to have to earn his way back into a starting role after missing so much time.
Brad Idzik sets clear expectations for Xavier Legette after returning to practice
“He understands he’s got to own earning those reps, earning the opportunities to incorporate himself back into the office because he’s been sitting and watching other guys produce for us, whether it’s (John) Metchie or (Brycen Tremayne) or David Moore in spots,” offensive coordinator Brad Idzik told reporters on Thursday.
Even when Legette was in action, he wasn’t producing much. In two games, Legette had just two receptions on six targets for 64 yards, 55 of which came in that one play against the Falcons. That’s the production he provided despite playing 69 offensive snaps. In his absence, the Panthers have relied heavily on Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker to lead the passing game, while getting plays here and there from the other wide receivers.
That means the opportunity is still there for Legette to step into the WR3 role again for this team, but Idzik is making it clear that has to be earned, not given.
“I really commend Xavier’s approach this week of understanding, ‘Hey, we’re going to put you in the spots that highlight your skill set,’ but there’s also a level of earning the amount of reps that you get because the other guys have been doing a great job of pressing into the details,” Idzik said.
Xavier Legette can bring real value to this offense
That being said, once Legette earns that opportunity back on offense, the value is real of what he can bring to the passing game. He showed that with his one splash play in the Falcons game, it’s just a matter of coming back and making those plays more consistently.
“The last play that X had before he got hurt in Atlanta, it was that big deep post down the field. That’s the most obvious element that he brings,” Idzik added. “When Xavier’s on the field, you want him running.”
However, his value isn’t just based on his stats. That downfield element is something the Panthers have been missing this season since Legette has been out. This season, McMillan (10) and Coker (9) are the only Panthers players to have 5+ targets on throws of 20+ air yards. No one has been able to be a viable option down the field outside of those two. Legette has that ability and can help open things up for McMillan and Coker.
“He stresses the defense out because he’s a big target with speed, and he’d be the first one to tell you he loves those kinds of routes when he can get up on his horse, get up on the DB’s toes, and get running,” Idzik added. “So for us, that’s the easiest way to incorporate him into the schemes: to get him running and stressing the defense vertically. So that’s the easiest way to get him back in.”
The real question is whether or not Legette can suit up on Sunday. He just had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday, but he was a full participant during the walk-through practice. We’ll see if that continues on Thursday and Friday.
