Chris Brazzell undergoing tests on knee

Brazzell was initially expected to avoid surgery and instead rehab the “moderate LCL tear in his left knee.” After getting a second opinion, the player and team decided surgery was the “best option” for the rookie’s long-term health. According to Person, Brazzell was expected to challenge WR Xavier Legette for the No. 3 role, while also potentially allowing WR Tetairoa McMillan to line up in the slot more often. The latter storyline is worth tracking. Hopefully, the plan remains in place and Brazzell makes a full recovery ahead of the 2027 season. We expect him to be placed on injured reserve soon.

The Panthers’ season starts in less than seven weeks, so it’s safe to assume Brazzell won’t be on the field for their opener. As a rookie, the lack of training camp reps will also be more meaningful for him. Brazzell was supposed to contend with Xavier Legette for the final starting role in three-receiver sets, but that is now out of the question. He is no longer on the season-long radar for fantasy purposes, though dynasty managers can still leave a light on for some late-season production.

Brazzell (6’4/198) was initially recruited to Tulane, where he broke out with 711 yards and five scores as a sophomore. That season put him on Tennessee’s radar via the portal. After transferring, Brazzell played a rotational role for a year before stepping up as the Vols’ top option. As a senior, he went for 1,017 yards and nine scores — both of which led the team — on 65 grabs. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel pinned Brazzell to the left hash and let him beat opposing corners with his size and 4.37 40-yard dash speed. Brazzell scored six of his touchdowns on throws that traveled 20 or more yards downfield, tying him for the third-most in the country. As we’ve come to expect from Tennessee wideouts, Brazzell wasn’t asked to run a diverse route tree in college. That and his slender build will likely pigeonhole him into stretch Z receiver duties at the next level. Even if that’s his ceiling in the pros, Brazzell could become a premier big-play threat early in his career.