The Carolina Panthers’ 2024 first-round pick played a career-low snap percentage in the franchise’s biggest game in years. Their head coach has now explained why.
Dave Canales spoke with reporters this afternoon, ahead of the team’s wild-card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday. They got there after clinching the NFC South title in Week 18—where receiver Xavier Legette, in Carolina’s 16-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, recorded just a 31.4-percent snap share on offense.
Advertisement
Conversely, fellow second-year wideout Jalen Coker saw a season-high burn—at 92.2 percent.
So, Canales was asked about the disparity in looks between last year’s 32nd overall pick and a former undrafted free-agent signee.
“It’s a really big time for Jalen, as he’s been stepping up and making plays for us,” Canales replied. “We looked at last week as an opportunity to get him out there a little bit more in 12 personnel, 13 personnel. Get him out there just because of the way he’s been producing and give him more opportunities.
“Xavier understands that part too, and he made his plays when they came to him in the game. So I was really proud of the way he made an impact as well. But again, this is a celebration of Jalen just continuing to step up into a more starter role in 12 personnel and 11 personnel and those things. Just trying to find a way to get him more involved.”
Advertisement
Legette has seen his share go down in each of the last three games. He went from playing in 73.7 percent of the snaps in Week 15, to 64.8 in Week 16, 54.7 in Week 17 and, now, 31.4 in Week 18.
He finished up the defeat in Tampa Bay with three receptions, his most since Week 12, for 22 yards.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Here’s why the Panthers have been cutting WR Xavier Legette’s snaps
