Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan Leads Receiving in NFL Debut Loss

Tetairoa McMillan made an impressive NFL debut for the Carolina Panthers, catching five passes for 68 yards on nine targets, marking the third-highest receiving total by a rookie in franchise history. Despite McMillan's strong performance as the Panthers' top receiver, the team fell 26-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who were led by Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. McMillan showed promise with a notable 21-yard catch-and-run and demonstrated his potential with a near highlight-reel catch early in the second half. While Bryce Young's overall passing was underwhelming, McMillan's volume of targets and yards provided an encouraging start to his professional career. The Jaguars' victory was also notable as it marked the first win for new head coach Liam Coen, who was awarded a game ball by team owner Shad Khan. Additionally, fellow Arizona product Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a strong showing with the Washington Commanders, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown in a 21-6 win over the New York Giants.