Carolina

Panthers

The team released safety Clayton Isbell in a corresponding move. Ford, soon to be 30 years old, spent the past two seasons in Green Bay. He totaled five interceptions and nine pass breakups across 30 games with the Packers. Ford is a versatile third safety who will slot into a part-time role with the Panthers out of the gate.

Legette was listed as day-to-day last week after suffering a foot injury in practice. The first-round receiver was spotted back with the team at Monday’s session in pads and looks ready to resume practicing in a normal capacity. Legette will likely open the season as a backup but should eventually work his way onto the field as he continues to develop his game in the coming months.

With Young sitting out and Andy Dalton injured, the Panthers will likely feature a heavy dose of Jack Plummer and Jake Luton to kick off the preseason. Plummer spent his final collegiate season with the Louisville Cardinals and has impressed Canales this offseason with his preparation and attention to detail. It’s possible we’ll see Young at some point in the preseason, even if it’s in the final tune-up before Week 1, but at the very least, we know he’s out this week.

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.