Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is expected to play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, per FOX Sport's Jordan Schultz. Legette’s became in jeopardy when appeared on the injury report Thursday with a toe injury.

Dionte Johnson is the Panthers’ leading receiver on the season. The thing is he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week. That makes Legette the leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns among players still on the Panthers roster.

There is no other receiver on the team with multiple touchdowns or over 200 yards. Legette is still looking to get his feet underneath him in his rookie season, but the importance of his development and presence to the Panthers’ passing game is clear when looking at the rest of the roster.

As the Saints prepare to stall out a stagnant Panthers passing attack, the focal point is the rookie receiver. He hasn't had a big game, but he was still a first round pick this year. If Legette has a breakout game this year, it wouldn't be shocking. The Saints just need to make sure that game doesn't happen against them.

More!

Dennis Allen trying to avoid 2nd-longest losing streak of his career

Panthers receiving corps as riddled with injuries as Saints secondary

Referee Ron Torbert assigned to Week 9 Saints-Panthers game

Report: Super Bowl contender calling Saints about their best defender

How to watch Saints vs Panthers today: Time, TV channel for Week 9

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Is Xavier Legette playing today? Saints vs. Panthers injury update