If all goes accordingly, Trevor Etienne's first game with the Carolina Panthers won't just be his NFL debut, but a family reunion.
Etienne and the Panthers are matched up with his older brother, Travis Etienne, and the host Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 1 matchup that the rookie has circled on the calendar for more than one reason.
"As soon as we found out the big news, we already were excited about playing each other this year," Trevor told Panthers.com’s Kassidy Hill. "And then come to find out that it will be Week 1. It's even more exciting, and we all can't wait."
As the Etienne brothers are preparing for their respective seasons with the Panthers and Jaguars, their mom, Donnetta, is preparing her game attire. She's looking to wear a split-jersey, similar to what Donna Kelce has donned for her sons, Jason and Travis Kelce, or John Brown has sported for his sons, Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown.
"That's definitely all she's been talking about so far after finding out like she's adamant about getting this split jersey done for the game," Trevor said. "I think she got in touch with Amon-Ra St. Brown's father and see how he did it. We were at the NFLPA, and I think she was able to get in touch with him at the premiere, and I think she was able to figure out how he did it and get some pointers and tips on how to handle that, on how to get this split jersey."
Before 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7, rolls around and the Jags host the Panthers, both Etiennes have much to work toward.
The eldest, Travis, is embarking upon a make-or-break season with Jacksonville. He's coming off a career-low 558 rushing yards in 2024. His new head coach Liam Coen recently shot down trade rumors, but Etienne still finds himself in a backfield with Tank Bigsby and rookie Bhayshul Tuten needing to earn his touches.
Trevor, a 2025 NFL Draft fourth-round pick, is part of a crowded backfield featuring a pair of 2024 1,000-yard rushers in Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle. So far, his plan is drinking in knowledge as much as it is vying for playing time.
"So, I come in, I'll be a sponge and learn what I can from them," Trevor said. "Watch them and watch how they go about their day-to-day process and how they handle their business and try to take it and incorporate it into my game."
Regardless of how many snaps he gets in Week 1, though, Trevor Etienne and his brother are anxiously awaiting his debut.
"We're just excited for each other," Trevor said.
