The Carolina Panthers welcomed several players back to the practice field on Monday after their 17-3 preseason loss to the Patriots on Thursday. Among those returning from injury were rookie first-round pick Xavier Legette, tight end Tommy Tremble, and linebacker Shaq Thompson.
Legette resumed catching passes from quarterback Bryce Young after recovering from a foot injury that sidelined him at the start of training camp. While he avoided a foot fracture, he missed the first preseason game. With Legette out and Young resting as a precaution, backup quarterback Jack Plummer took the majority of snaps, completing 11 of 21 passes for 86 yards and taking five sacks. Jordan Matthews and Ihmir Smith-Marsette led the receiving corps with a combined seven receptions for 72 yards. Linebacker Shaq Thompson also returned to practice after a weeks-long recovery from a hamstring injury. The former first-rounder is working towards a major comeback after suffering a broken leg last September; he recorded 135 tackles, including 13 for loss, in his last full season with Carolina. Tight end Tommy Tremble, who also missed Thursday’s game due to a hamstring issue, had 23 catches and three touchdowns last season for the Panthers.
Now back on the field, Legette, Thompson, and Tremble have the opportunity to participate in the Panthers’ next preseason game against the New York Jets, scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.