The Carolina Panthers still aren't giving up on wide receiver Xavier Legette, at least not publicly.
On Sunday, in the team's 59-37 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears, Legette recorded zero receptions over a pair of targets—one of which accounted for the offense's only drop of the contest. That outing marked the fourth game of zero receiving yards or fewer (yes, there was one with fewer) the former first-round pick has recorded over his three-year career.
But despite his continuing struggles off the field, Legette seemingly has a supporter in head coach Dave Canales.
"When the quarterback gives you an opportunity, make the play. He'll come back to you again," Canales told reporters of his pass catchers on Wednesday. "And it's that confidence
and it's that chemistry with the quarterback—all those things that need to continue to build.
"And for XL, it's coming. I truly believe it. And I think I've said this a lot of times up here, but hard work works. And that's what I've seen out of him. He just grinds. He had a fantastic practice today, and he's a part of our game plan, we're counting on XL. I can't wait to see him continue to take those strides."
Legette has slipped down the ranks of the wideout room since being taken with the 32nd overall selection in 2024—with 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, an undrafted free-agent signee from Legette's class, passing him by. If not for the season-ending knee injury 2026 third-round pick Chris Brazzell II sustained early in training camp, Legette might've been even further down the depth chart entering the new campaign.
His falling stock was never more apparent than at the end of the 2025 regular season, where he saw his snap share decrease game-by-game over the last four weeks. That stretch culminated in a career-low 31.4-percent share in the important Week 18 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Through 32 career games, Legette has amassed just 84 receptions for 860 yards and seven touchdowns.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers HC Dave Canales 'truly believes' a breakthrough is coming for WR Xavier Legette
