Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) turned in a full practice on Wednesday according to David Newton of ESPN. The former second-round selection has been sidelined throughout his entire rookie career due to a torn ACL he suffered last November. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status going forward but a full practice could suggest he may be nearing his NFL debut. However, the Panthers may opt to exercise extreme caution with their young running back given their position in the standings. For now, Brooks remains a high-end stash option. Chuba Hubbard should be expected to remain as the lead back for the time being,

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette has had a modest start to his NFL career, catching 22 of his 35 targets for 211 yards and three touchdowns through his first eight games. However, the Panthers are trading Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens, opening the door for Legette to be the clear WR1 for Bryce Young or Andy Dalton. It's worth noting Adam Thielen (hamstring) is eligible to return from Injured Reserve and rookie Jalen Coker has come on in recent weeks, but expect the Panthers to feature its first-round pick heavily with an eye toward the future. Legette's upside is higher with Dalton in the lineup, but even if Young takes over the QB1 duties for the foreseeable future, Legette should see targets in bunches.

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette caught his third touchdown of the season in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Legette, a striking 6-foot-2, 227-pound figure, is proving to be a solid red-zone threat, with all three of his touchdowns coming inside the 10-yard line. Legette's game has shades of A.J. Brown, as he can physically dominate defensive backs at the point of attack. However, his down-to-down consistency still leaves much to be desired. He finished with four receptions for 34 yards and has recorded just one 50+ yard game this year. Granted, the quarterback situation in Carolina has been among the most questionable in the league. With New Orleans up in Week 9, it would be encouraging if the South Carolina product started to show week-to-week consistency but is on the flex radar in deep league formats.

Undrafted Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker recorded the best outing of his young career in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos. Coker, a Holy Cross product, hauled in four receptions for 78 yards and a touchdowna 15-yard back shoulder catch in the game's waning seconds. With Adam Thielen (hamstring) and Diontae Johnson (ribs) out, Coker took full advantage of his opportunity, becoming a fan favorite and beacon of hope for crestfallen Panthers supporters. The status of Thielen and Johnson is unclear heading into Week 9, and their designation will determine the outlook on Coker's expectations. However, Carolina's diamond in the rough prospect could garner more exposure in next Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints.

For several weeks, Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders had been rendered insignificant in their offense, recording just four touches in three straight games. However, Sanders was Carolina's receptions leader in Sunday's 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos, catching all seven targets for 38 yards. Still, his lack of rushing opportunities remains discouraging, especially considering he produced a productive, gritty third-down conversion early in this game and did not receive another carry. Sanders averages 4.6 yards per carry, but Carolina brass views him as a pure receiving back, as he has averaged just two carries per game over his last four bouts. Despite facing a poor Saints defense in Week 9, Sanders remains off the fantasy radar next week.