Chris Brazzell II’s injury update throws a wrench in Panthers’ WR plans, but it does boost one player who’s been turning heads at camp
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was diagnosed with a torn LCL that will force him to miss eight weeks, potentially opening the door for Ja’seem Reed to push for a roster spot.
The Carolina Panthers received an update on rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II after he was carted off the field during Wednesday’s practice with a left knee injury. According to The Athletic’s Joe Person, Brazzell suffered a moderate tear of his LCL in his left knee. He’s expected to miss up to 8 weeks. A conservative process for Brazzell would be to sit out the first four weeks of the season and return in Week 6 following the bye. We’ll see if that’s the case or if the Panthers try to rush him back sooner.
The injury occurred during 7-on-7 drills on a non-contact play. Wednesday marked Brazzell’s first practice back after missing Sunday and Tuesday’s sessions with knee soreness in the same knee. The LCL tear is not believed to be the same injury that caused the initial soreness, but rather a separate issue.
While the news is significant given the timeline, it could have been much worse. Brazzell is the third Panthers player that’s been carted off the field during training camp. Second-year outside linebacker Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL last week. Second-year tight end Mitchell Evans was carted off during Tuesday’s practice but only sustained a low ankle sprain and is expected to return by the end of the week.
Chris Brazzell II’s injury puts a pause on Carolina’s plans at the WR position
Brazzell was expected to play a significant role as the vertical threat on the outside, stretching the field and freeing up space for Tetairoa McMillan to operate more inside. He was also pushing Xavier Legette for the WR3 spot behind McMillan and Jalen Coker heading into the season.
With Brazzell sidelined for up to 2 months, Legette’s status is now secure as the third wide receiver, at least for the start of the regular season. Legette has shown good things throughout the first days of training camp, and this injury solidifies his role in the rotation.
Fortunately, the Panthers have a deep wide receiver room and can handle being without Brazzell for the near future. The rest of the depth chart at the position consists of David Moore, John Metchie III, Jimmy Horn Jr., and Brycen Tremayne all competing for a spot on the 53-man roster. There’s also another player that’s been turning heads lately.
Ja’seem Reed has the chance to be the biggest beneficiary of Brazzell’s injury
The bigger storyline to watch coming out of this is what happens with Ja’seem Reed. Reed was an overlooked player on the depth chart going into the season but has had a great training camp so far, and continues to turn heads with his performance.
“He’s consistent,” Canales said on Sunday. “He knows the concepts, he’s a really smart guy—and he’s been that way since we got him. A guy we have a lot of trust in. And then, he just keeps making plays.”
The Panthers signed Reed last July after being waived by the Cleveland Browns and stuck around Carolina’s practice squad as a rookie. It’s clear he’s been more comfortable with this offense since camp started and now starting to build some real momentum.
“Ja’seem’s giving everything he has,” Canales praised on Wednesday. “Separates at the top. He knows what he’s doing, first and foremost. He’s a guy we can count on. We can really spot him in and play at position across the receiver room – whether that’s X or F or at the Z. He studies that way. And the bottom line is, we throw him the ball and he catches it… He’s really making a case for himself.”
Reed’s emergence and Brazzell’s injury adds even more intrigue to one of the toughest positions this coaching staff will be forced to evaluate when it comes to roster cuts and who makes the initial roster. Preseason action will go a long way toward making that decision.