The Carolina Panthers aren’t catching any breaks during training camp.
On Wednesday, rookie wideout Chris Brazzell II went down with an apparent knee injury.
The Charlotte Observer Panthers reporter Mike Kaye noted on social media that the 2026 third-round pick (No. 83 overall) “held his [left] knee after a 7 on 7 rep and then sat down” before being looked at by trainers and carted off the practice field.
“Just something happened, he felt weird on it. Sat down,” head coach Dave Canales told reporters after the morning camp session. “We took him in, we’ll get a full evaluation and get a picture of that.”
The Panthers already lost 2025 second-round edge-rusher Nic Scourton to a season-ending torn ACL, while starting offensive tackles Ikem Ekwonu (torn patellar tendon) and Taylor Moton (blood clot) are also inactive, as well as defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton (neck) and Bobby Brown III (hamstring).
Adversity is already hitting Carolina, which is coming off its first NFC South title since 2015, and Brazzell’s injury might be the most impactful.
Chris Brazzell II’s injury could have significant implications for the Panthers offense
Earlier in camp, Canales discussed wanting to use 2025 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the slot more often, and the third-year coach specifically mentioned Brazzell being key to diversifying McMillan’s alignment.
“Chris Brazzell gives us the opportunity to move [McMillan] inside a little bit more,” Canales said, per Panthers Wire. “We can pop T-Mac inside, put Chris at the single.”
A significant injury could alter those plans, requiring McMillan to operate on the outside. Even a minor injury could result in Brazzell, who had 62 receptions for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns as a redshirt junior at Tennessee last season, seeing less action ahead of the Aug. 6 Hall of Fame Game after he was previously held from Sunday’s practice with knee soreness.
The Panthers have been dealt brutal injury luck. Based on his potential importance to the offense, a long-term Brazzell injury could have significant consequences, keeping Canales’ attack from reaching its full potential.
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