Panthers rookie WR Chris Brazzell II to miss season after torn LCL
Carolina loses another promising rookie before the preseason after Chris Brazzell II suffers a torn LCL in his left knee.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. —
The Carolina Panthers have lost another promising rookie before the preseason.
Rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II will miss the 2026 season after the team announced he will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his left knee.
Brazzell suffered the injury during a seven-on-seven drill at Wednesday’s practice and was carted off the field. The Panthers initially believed the third-round pick could potentially return after recovering from surgery, but after receiving a second opinion, Brazzell opted for season-ending surgery, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person.
Brazzell is now the second Panthers rookie lost for the season during the first week of training camp. Second-round edge rusher Nic Scourton suffered a torn ACL on the opening day of camp.
Brazzell had missed two practices earlier in the week due to soreness in the same knee but had been cleared to return before suffering the injury.
“Same knee, something happened,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said after Wednesday’s practice. “He felt weird on it, sat down and we took him in.”
The Panthers selected Brazzell in the third round of the NFL Draft out of Tennessee after a standout season with the Volunteers. He recorded 62 catches for 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, averaging 16.4 yards per reception.
Despite losing Brazzell, the Panthers still have depth at wide receiver, led by reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan.