RADIO
Jalen Coker Looking to Build Off Impressive Performance in Week 2
Carolina Panthers Jalen Coker (ankle) will look to continue his strong play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. Coker logged a full practice on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons. The 24-year-old was seen in a walking boot on Monday, but was cleared after practicing throughout the week. He caught eight of nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns while playing 95% of the team's offensive snaps against the Bears in the regular-season opener. Coker showed a good rapport with quarterback Bryce Young and has 17 catches for 272 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games since the Wild Card loss to the Rams. Coker is ranked WR26 at RotoBaller and will keep things rolling against the Falcons, making him a strong WR3/FLEX heading into Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Coker Officially Cleared to Play in Week 2
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and has been cleared to play in the Week 2 contest this Sunday in Atlanta against the division-rival Falcons, according to the team's official website. Coker tweaked his ankle in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears and was seen in a walking boot on Monday. He put in two limited practices to begin the week but ultimately has been cleared to play. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent from Holy Cross will be looking for an encore this weekend after one of his best games as a pro in the season opener, when he caught eight of nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns against Chicago. Now that Coker has been cleared to play against Atlanta, he should be treated as a strong WR3/flex option for fantasy managers with upside for WR2 numbers as Carolina's WR2. If Coker can play a full season in 2026 -- injuries limited him to 22 total games in his first two seasons -- there is clear breakout potential here.
Source: Panthers.com
Source: Panthers.com
Jalen Coker Practicing Again Friday
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) was back on the field Friday, according to Joe Person. Coker rolled his ankle in the first quarter of Sunday's loss to Chicago but stayed in the game and finished with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He opened the week in a precautionary walking boot, then was limited Wednesday and Thursday. Dave Canales said earlier this week that he expected Coker to play against Atlanta and hoped to turn him loose Friday. Carolina had not posted its final injury report at the time of this update, so Coker's official Week 2 designation is still pending. His participation Friday is another encouraging sign that he'll be available.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Jalen Coker Still Limited but Expected to Play
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) remained limited at Thursday's practice, according to Joe Person. Coker has now been limited on back-to-back days, but Carolina still expects him to play Sunday against Atlanta. Head coach Dave Canales said Wednesday that the plan was to ramp Coker up through the week and "cut him loose" Friday after he was able to get a few team reps. Coker rolled his ankle during the Week 1 loss to Chicago, then stayed in the game and finished with eight catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He was in a walking boot Monday, though Coker called that precautionary. The second straight limited practice shows the ankle is still being managed, but nothing the Panthers have said so far points to a setback. Friday's session should tell us whether Coker is ready for a normal workload in Atlanta.
Source: Joe Person
Source: Joe Person
Tetairoa McMillan Looking To Have Bigger Role in Week 2
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan could see an increased role in Week 2 with Jalen Coker's injury status still questionable. Coker had a breakout Week 1 against the Bears, while McMillan caught five passes for 75 yards and no touchdowns as Coker was the star receiver. After the game on Monday, Coker was seen in a walking boot and is nursing an ankle injury. He is questionable to play against the Falcons and was limited in Wednesday's practice. Should Coker be limited or forced to miss Week 2's contest, McMillan would get a huge boost as the No. 1 target for quarterback Bryce Young. How the split plays out between the two talented receivers remains to be seen but in Week 1 it was in favor of Coker. Look for a bounce back of sorts from McMillan this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Tetairoa McMillan Plays a Major Role on Offense
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan made a very positive impression as a rookie last year, and he continues to offer solid WR2 value in fantasy football leagues in 2026. McMillan opened the season with eight targets, five catches, and 75 yards in the Panthers' Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears. He came on a little slow but finished incredibly strong, ranking second on the team in catches and yards behind Jalen Coker. He also played an impressive 82% snap share, which indicates that he should continue to occupy a major role going forward, presumably as Bryce Young's No. 1 receiver. The emergence of Coker could have a very slight impact on McMillan's stock, but we're still confident in him as fantasy WR2 with high volume and touchdown upside. He should benefit immensely from a Week 2 matchup against a suspect Atlanta Falcons team.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Coker Working Off to the Side Due to Ankle Injury
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) was seen wearing a walking boot after the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears, and he was seen working off to the side with a trainer during practice on Wednesday, according to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer. Coker suffered his left-ankle injury early on Sunday and played through it, catching eight of his nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns in one of his best games as a pro. His ankle injury obviously did not really slow him down, but it is worth monitoring ahead of Carolina's Week 2 tilt this Sunday against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on the road. All signs point to Coker being active this weekend, and if he is, fantasy managers will want to keep him locked into their starting lineups as a WR3/flex with upside as the No. 2 in the Panthers' offense behind Tetairoa McMillan. A limited practice for Coker on Wednesday would not be ideal, but it also would not mean that he is particularly in danger of missing the Week 2 contest. UPDATE: Coker was officially limited on Wednesday, per The Associated Press' Steve Reed.
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Source: The Charlotte Observer - Mike Kaye
Jimmy Horn Jr. Waived by Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have waived wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., per ESPN's Adam Schefter. A sixth-round pick out of Colorado in the 2025 NFL Draft, Horn Jr. recorded just 11 catches for 108 yards on 15 targets across 13 games as a rookie. His sophomore campaign got off to a rough start in Week 1, as he muffed a punt in Carolina's blowout loss to the Chicago Bears. Whether or not the special teams mistake is the direct reason for Horn Jr. losing his spot on the Panthers' roster, the 24-year-old will now be looking for his next NFL opportunity. Depending on where Horn Jr. ends up, he could still carry some deep-league dynasty intrigue. For now, he remains firmly off the radar of redraft managers.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Jalen Coker in a Walking Boot, Not Expected to Miss Time This Week
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (ankle) rolled his left ankle in the first quarter of the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday but continued to play through it and had one of the best games of his career, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. Coker is wearing a walking boot on Monday but does not expect to miss time this week as the team prepares to play the division-rival Atlanta Falcons in Week 2 on Sunday. The 24-year-old third-year receiver caught eight of his nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the 59-37 loss to the Bears on Sunday. Injuries are nothing new for Coker, who played in only 22 games in his first two years in the league due to injury. If Coker can manage to stay healthy for an entire season, though, he has true breakout potential, even as the team's WR2 across from former first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan. If Coker can get through practice this week and suit up on Sunday against Atlanta, he should be locked into starting fantasy lineups for a potential encore after his two-touchdown season opener. Right now, Coker is rostered in 61% of Yahoo leagues, so despite his ankle injury, he is a priority waiver-wire addition going into Week 2 action.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Jalen Coker a Must-Add After Week 1
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker hauled in eight of nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the 59-37 loss to the Chicago Bears. While trailing for most of this game, the Panthers' passing offense was on center stage in Week 1, and Coker led the way. He played 57 of 61 snaps (93%) and had nine targets, the most among skill players. Despite talk of second-year receiver Tetairoa McMillan playing more in the slot, Coker was used there more often, playing 40% of snaps in the slot compared to McMillan's 21%. Over his last seven outings, he's had 36 receptions for 516 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 15 half-PPR fantasy points per game. As one of Carolina's top weapons, Coker is a must-add after Week 1 and could be a mid-WR3 option moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Coker Emerges as Top Target in Loss
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker posted a huge day on the field during the Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The third-year wideout hauled in a 51-yard score in the second quarter. Coker found the end zone again with an eight-yard score in the fourth quarter. The 24-year-old hauled in eight of his nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the loss. There are probably not too many people out there who had Jalen Coker dropping two TDs and nearly 150 yards on their bingo cards. Coker emerged as the favorite option of quarterback Bryce Young on Sunday. The two of them clearly have great chemistry, which could lead to a breakout campaign for Coker. After that game, Coker is going to be one of the most popular names on the waiver wire. He should be a solid flex option for the Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Xavier Legette Off the Injury Report, a Deep-League Flex Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (ankle) was not listed on the team's injury report and will suit up against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Legette injured his ankle during practice a few weeks ago but has been cleared and will be active for the regular season opener. The 25-year-old is set to be Carolina's WR3 behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker after catching 35 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns last season. The Bears' secondary is banged up heading into Week 1 and will be without safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Kyle Gordon. Chicago also allowed the third most fantasy points to wideouts last year, giving Legette a plus matchup for this week. Despite the positive matchup and game script (47.5 points over/under), Legette is an option in very deep leagues and is ranked WR90 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tetairoa McMillan in a Smash Spot Against the Bears in Week 1
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is set up for a strong Week 1 against a banged-up Chicago Bears secondary in Week 1. The Bears will be without safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Kyle Gordon for the regular-season opener and allowed the third most fantasy points to wideouts last season. Coming off an impressive rookie campaign where McMillan caught 70 passes for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games, the 23-year-old took home the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. According to ESPN's Mike Kaye, McMillan will be used more in the slot in 2026, and Carolina wants to use the second-year wideout's size and strength to get the ball to him more in the middle of the field. McMillan is ranked as RotoBaller's WR23 in PPR formats, and fantasy managers should roll with him in all leagues as a borderline WR2 against the Bears in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Coker Becomes a Strong Flex Option in Week 1 Vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker will look to keep things going in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears after an impressive Wild Card round performance against the Rams last season. Coker caught nine passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' lone playoff game. Overall, he caught 33 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. The 24-year-old signed a three-year, $35 million extension this offseason and is expected to be a big part of Carolina's offense this season. Coker will look to stay hot and has a great matchup against a banged-up Chicago defense that allowed the third most fantasy points to wideouts last season. The Bears defense will also be down two starters in the secondary with safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Kyle Gordon ruled out. He enters as RotoBaller's WR47 and ranks 93rd in our top 200 FLEX rankings. With the positive matchup and his strong connection with quarterback Bryce Young, Coker is a strong FLEX option heading into Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jimmy Horn Jr. Falling Down Depth Chart with Teammate Healthy
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. is slipping down the depth chart, which has also caused his fantasy stock to fall. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Horn might have a chance to compete for the No. 3 receiver role with Xavier Legette (ankle) sidelined. However, Legette is back to 100%, leaving no chance for Horn to start in Week 1. The 24-year-old will likely find himself in the No. 4 or 5 receiver role to open the season. He's coming off a quiet rookie campaign in which he caught 11 passes for 108 yards, ranking as the WR138 in PPR leagues. Although he now has a pro season under his belt, Horn still may not emerge as a top-100 fantasy receiver this year. He can be avoided in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
