After a thrilling week nine victory against the Green Bay Packers, the Carolina Panthers are gearing up to continue the team’s hot stretch in week 10 when they host the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
However, quarterback Bryce Young and the rest of the Panthers’ offense may be in a difficult spot heading into the divisional matchup.
According to the team’s official injury report on Friday, rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is dealing with a hamstring issue and is now listed as questionable prior to Carolina’s highly anticipated matchup.
Last season, it was obvious that the Panthers’ offense needed a true No. 1 wide receiver in order to aid Young’s efforts through the air. 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette showed flashes of promise in his rookie season, but it was not enough to convince general manager Dan Morgan that he was capable of fulfilling the role.
Luckily for the Panthers, McMillian fell to the No. 9 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the front office wasted no time selecting the talented pass catcher. While many believed Carolina would attack the defensive line in the first round, Morgan clearly envisioned a more productive offense with McMillian on the field.
The decision would ultimately pay off for the franchise, as the former Arizona Wildcat standout continues to shine throughout his first season.
In his nine games played this season, McMillian leads the Panthers in receiving yards with 558, along with two touchdowns. His unique 6-foot-5 frame allows him to be a true jump-ball receiver for Young, making him a matchup nightmare in one-on-one coverage.
If McMillian is ruled out for Sunday’s contest, it would be a significant loss for head coach Dave Canales and the rest of the offense.
Outside of the rookie receiver, the Panthers’ offense does not have a single pass catcher who has over 200 receiving yards this year, with Legette being the next closest with 181 receiving yards.
With McMillian potentially being sidelined against the Saints, Carolina will likely rely on running back Rico Dowdle, who has quickly become one of the hottest playmakers in the NFL. The 27-year-old halfback has tallied 735 rushing yards this season, which ranks fourth in the entire league.
Focusing the offensive attack through Dowdle is the best-case scenario for the Panthers, as New Orleans has allowed an average of 129.4 rushing yards per game this season.