Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell will undergo season-ending surgery for a torn LCL, an injury he sustained during a training camp practice on Wednesday. The loss of Brazzell marks another significant blow to the Panthers' depth at wide receiver.
Brazzell suffered the injury during a 7-on-7 drill. He was unable to put weight on his left foot following the incident and was subsequently helped to a cart. The team confirmed the severity of the injury, which will require surgery and end his rookie season before it begins.
Prior to this injury, Brazzell was considered a key addition to the Panthers' receiving corps, which features Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker as other notable players. The Panthers selected Brazzell in the third round of the 2026 draft. He played four seasons collegiately at Tulane and Tennessee. After accumulating 333 receiving yards in 2024, he had a breakout season in 2025, recording 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns. He developed a strong connection with quarterback Joey Aguilar during his time at Tennessee. Brazzell is noted for his speed and ability to make big plays, demonstrated by his 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine in February.
This is the latest in a series of training camp setbacks for the Panthers. The team also recently lost second-year pass rusher Nic Scourton to a season-ending ACL tear. Backup tight end Mitchell Evans was carted off the field Tuesday with a low ankle sprain, though head coach Dave Canales indicated it was less severe than other injuries. The team is also facing challenges on the offensive line, with starting tackles Taylor Moton (blood clot) and Ikem Ekwonu (knee injury) expected to miss time. Starting guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt have also experienced missed practice time due to injuries.
The Panthers are looking to build on their performance from the 2025 season, where they finished 8-9 and made the postseason for the first time since 2017, securing a playoff spot due to their standing within the NFC South division.