Biggest takeaways from the Panthers' opening outing of 2025 mandatory minicamp

One down, two to go.

The Carolina Panthers kicked off mandatory minicamp this afternoon, with the first of three scheduled practices. Tuesday's session included some eye-opening action, plenty of trash talk and what seemed to be a close call on the injury front.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the opening outing:

Trouble afoot?

Second-year receiver Xavier Legette appeared a bit hobbled off the end of a route during position drills. He'd then remove his right cleat, get a look from a team trainer and leave the field.

Legette, who underwent offseason surgery on the foot, was able to return to practice. But given his previous injury, this development may be worth keeping in mind moving forward.

Just saw Xavier Legette hobble a bit after this route. Took his right shoe off and is getting looked at by a member of the training staff. #Panthers pic.twitter.com/5ohjpR5g4q

— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) June 10, 2025

Out an outside linebacker

Outside linebacker Amaré Barno, who was not participating, also went under the knife this offseason.

Per head coach Dave Canales, the 26-year-old defender recently had a procedure to clean up his knee. Canales believes it is the same knee Barno tore at the end of the 2023 campaign.

Barno appeared in five games this past season, with 86 of his 143 snaps coming on special teams.

Shades of 2015?

It may not be as physical as the training camp fight between Cam Newton and Josh Norman in 2015, but a battle between quarterback Bryce Young and cornerback Jaycee Horn is brewing.

The two got into a jawing match during practice, something Canales seemed rather excited about.

"Honestly, he gets really animated," he told reporters of Young. "Particularly if you're talking about sports, he loves talking about NBA basketball, college sports during the season when we're going, when we're out here on the field. He just has a defiance to him, and that's just kinda his way of competing.

"He's not super animated with it, but he definitely thrives off of that, feeds off that energy. He takes his chances when he can because Jaycee is trying to bait him into throwing the ball over there."

Horn, with a smile, called the contentious back-and-forth "fun."

Continuing the comeback

Wideout Hunter Renfrow continues to make strides on his comeback trail.

After missing the entire 2024 season due to ulcerative colitis, the former Pro Bowler hopped back into the NFL on a one-year pact with the Panthers in April. According to Canales, he's been solid all offseason.

"Every day, you see him shine in different ways," Canales stated. "Outside of [Adam] Thielen, no one's had more catches in the NFL than Hunter. So to see him show up in different ways, attack a zone, attack leverage in different ways on his releases—it's so cool because you can coach off that stuff. But to see him be comfortable out there, he makes plays every day."

Renfrow put a cap on the session with a 40-yard reception from backup quarterback Andy Dalton.

Adding a great player?

With the depth at cornerback still in question, Canales was asked about the possibility of signing Charlotte, N.C. native Jaire Alexander.

"I don't know that for sure, but we're always open to the chance of just bringing great players in here to create that competition," he replied. "I wouldn't say no. But right now, we have to take all the information in. I'm sure those conversations will happen, just to kinda see like, 'What are they looking for?' It's gotta be the right fit for both sides. And so, those are all things we'd be open to."

Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler, was released by the Green Bay Packers on Monday. He was limited to 37 of a possible 72 games over the past four seasons due to numerous injuries.