The Carolina Panthers might have been one secure catch away from pulling off the NFL’s biggest upset of the season in Week 14. But unfortunately, security hasn’t been wide receiver Xavier Legette’s strong suit of late.
Legette, with his team down six points and just under a minute remaining in Sunday’s matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, could not reel in what would have been a game-tying 32-yard touchdown throw.
Here’s the brutal incompletion . . .
Oh my goodness…. incomplete.
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Carolina, two plays later, was unable to convert on a fourth-and-9—turning the possession over in the eventual 22-16 loss.
After the defeat, head coach Dave Canales was asked if he expects Legette to make that catch.
“Absolutely. That’s a big play we’re counting on,” he replied. “He’d be the first one to tell you, he’s gotta make that play. Bryce steps up, makes a beautiful throw, in the situation, had the coverage we wanted and all that. And so those are the plays that we just gotta find a way to make for us to get back on the winning column.”
While Legette did record a clutch 31-yard catch at the beginning of the drive, the rookie’s day in the City of Brotherly Love will be marred by his drops. The 2024 first-rounder, in addition to the aforementioned incompletion, also failed to haul in a few other first-down passes throughout the game.
But the man behind those throws, quarterback Bryce Young, had an encouraging outlook for himself and the 23-year-old receiver moving forward.
“Reinforce it with telling him and also with showing him and demonstrating,” Young said of his message to Legette. “I’m gonna keep throwing him the ball. I trust him in every situation. It’s not gonna change.”
Legette finished with two receptions for 39 yards on eight targets.
