Carolina Panthers

Jalen Coker

WR

Coker was entering a contract year after signing his exclusive-rights free-agent tender with Carolina in April, but he will now be under contract for the next few seasons. The wide receiver has combined to catch 65 of 89 targets for 872 yards and five touchdowns over 22 regular-season contests in his first two NFL campaigns. He is set to enter the 2026 season as the Panthers' primary slot receiver, and he'll look to take a step up in production after his big payday.

Xavier Legette

WR

Legette also told reporters that he tried to "bulletproof" his problematic hamstrings this offseason. He's missed only three games since the Panthers took him 32nd overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, but recurring hamstring issues have limited his practice time -- and potentially impacted his in-game performance. Averaging 27.7 receiving yards per game and 5.8 yards per target through two NFL seasons, Legette may now have to compete for the No. 3 WR job during training camp. Rookie third-round pick Chris Brazzell headlines the potential competition, with John Metchie and Jimmy Horn being the dark-horse candidates.

Tetairoa McMillan

WR

McMillan missed some time during OTAs due to what was initially labeled a foot issue, but it is now being dubbed ankle soreness. He participated in practice during the first day of mandatory minicamp Tuesday, but per Sheena Quick of Fox Sports Radio 1340, the 2025 first-rounder is not dressed for practice Wednesday. McMillan himself said Wednesday that he currently feels good and expects to be ready for training camp in July, Kaye reports, an indication that his reps at minicamp may simply be being capped as a precaution. According to Joe Person of The Athletic, head coach Dave Canales said that Carolina's plan is for McMillan to take part in two of the team's three minicamp practices, so the wideout should be back on the field Thursday.

Ikem Ekwonu

OT

Ekwonu said he is "crushing it" in rehab as he works his way back from a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. The 2022 first-round pick is expected to return to the field at some point during the upcoming campaign.

Chuba Hubbard

RB

With last year's rushing leader Rico Dowdle now with the Steelers, Hubbard -- who looked good this spring -- per Kaye, should have an opportunity to bounce back from a forgettable 2025 campaign in which injuries contributed to him logging just 511 yards (on 134 carries) in 15 regular-season contests after racking up 1,195 rushing yards (on 250 carries) in 2024. Also in the mix for backfield work this season will be Jonathon Brooks -- who is rebounding from back-to-back ACL surgeries -- as well as 2025 fourth-rounder Trevor Etienne, with AJ Dillon, Anthony Tyus and Miles Davis also on hand. Assuming Hubbard can avoid the injury bug, he figures to see steady volume out of the gate this coming season, but if Brooks is able to re-prove his health he could cut into Hubbard's workload down the road.