NFL training camps are a tough place where brutal injuries can derail seasons just as they’re getting started.
That’s been particularly the case this year in Charlotte, where the Carolina Panthers have had a pair of brutal losses to young players, including former Tennessee Vols WR Chris Brazzell II.
Brazzell had been dealing with knee soreness over the prior week before Wednesday’s practice, but he returned to the field and quickly suffered a knee injury that put him on the turf in pain and required
a cart to take him to the locker room.
There was optimism at first, as he was diagnosed with a moderate LCL teat with a projected recovery timetable of up to 8 weeks.
There was a change of plans to that on Thursday, per The Athletic’s Joe Person. Brazzell is now going to have season-ending surgery to repair the LCL that will end his season. That decision, per person was at the mutual agreement of Brazzell and the Panthers in order to protect him long term.
It’s a tough break, as Brazzell looked to be the part of a threat to push for regular playing time as the Panthers’ third wide receiver and field stretcher. Those plans will now have to wait until 2027.
It’s the second major loss for Carolina, with second-year edge rusher Nic Scourton suffering an ACL tear less than a week prior.
