Just in case you missed it, the Carolina Panthers will not have their leading pass catcher in uniform later this afternoon.
As announced on Friday, wideout Diontae Johnson has been ruled out of the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The 28-year-old was listed as a non-participant throughout the week due to a rib injury.
Despite telling reporters on Thursday that he believed he’d be able to suit up, Johnson will sit out for the first time this season.
So, with the trade deadline nearing on the 1-6 Panthers and the rest of the league, head coach Dave Canales was asked if Johnson’s status is linked to a potential deal.
“Those are all conversations that Dan [Morgan] and Brandt [Tilis] will handle,” Canales said on Friday. “For me, it’s like, I wanna do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done. And the fact that he couldn’t get back on the field this week, I felt confident about the guys being able to step in there and do it.”
Johnson leads the Panthers in receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).
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