Tag: Adam Thielen

Panthers Week 8 inactives: 7 players ruled out vs. Broncos

The Panthers will be without a few key offensive weapons in Denver this afternoon.

If Bryce Young wants to make a statement in the Mile High City this afternoon, he’ll have to do it without the help of a few key weapons.

The Carolina Panthers have ruled seven players as inactive for their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos, including wideout Diontae Johnson. Johnson will miss his first game of the campaign due to a rib injury.

With the Panthers at 1-6 and the trade deadline just a little over a week away, Johnson’s absence has raised some speculation about a possible deal. Head coach Dave Canales was asked on Friday if the decision to hold Johnson out relates to preserving a move of the one-time Pro Bowler.

“Those are all conversations that Dan [Morgan] and Brandt [Tilis] will handle,” Canales replied. “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.”

The Panthers will also be without last year’s leading receiving Adam Thielen, who is still on his way back from a hamstring strain. Thielen was designated to return to practice on Wednesday, but has yet to be activated to the main roster.

Here is the full list of inactives on the day for Carolina:

  • CB Shemar Bartholomew
  • RB Jonathon Brooks
  • QB Andy Dalton
  • CB Dane Jackson
  • WR Diontae Johnson
  • OT Yosh Nijman
  • S Jammie Robinson

And for Denver:

  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  • TE Greg Dulcich
  • S P.J. Locke
  • OT Alex Palczewski
  • OLB Dondrea Tillman
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike
  • QB Zach Wilson

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Panthers Week 8 injury report: Top 2 WRs ruled out vs. Broncos

The Panthers won’t have WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen for Sunday’s matchup in Denver.

Bryce Young will have to make do without the Carolina Panthers’ top two pass catchers in his return under center.

The team has ruled out wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen from Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Johnson (ribs) leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three) while Thielen—last year’s leading receiver—is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.

Carolina will also be without outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quad) and safeties Jordan Fuller (hamstring), Nick Scott (hamstring) and Jammie Robinson (knee).

Here’s the full injury report from Friday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP Limited Doubtful
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP DNP Out
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Out
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited Limited Questionable
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full Full –
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited Full –
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited DNP Out
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited Full Questionable
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP Limited Out
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full Full Questionable
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full Full Questionable
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full Full Questionable
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP DNP Out
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full Full –
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP DNP –

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson misses 2nd straight practice on Thursday

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson has now missed two practices in a row due to a rib injury.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young may not have his offense’s top target in his return under center on Sunday.

Wideout Diontae Johnson did not participate in Thursday’s practice due to a rib injury. The sixth-year receiver was also held out of Wednesday’s session.

Johnson currently leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Here’s the team’s full injury report for Thursday . . .

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP

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Panthers QB Bryce Young named starter for Week 8 matchup vs. Broncos

With Andy Dalton dealing with a right thumb injury, the Panthers will hand the reins back over to Bryce Young in Week 8.

The Carolina Panthers will, once again, look a little different under center.

On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales announced that second-year quarterback Bryce Young is set to start in the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The second shot for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick comes as a result of a right thumb injury to veteran Andy Dalton, who was involved in a minor car accident on Tuesday.

Young was benched following a disappointing start to his sophomore campaign. He passed for just 250 yards and three interceptions over a pair of losses.

Here, headlined by Dalton, is Wednesday’s full injury report:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited

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Panthers getting WR Adam Thielen, 2 key defenders back at practice

The Panthers are getting three players back at practice on Wednesday.

Some much-needed help could soon be on the way for the 1-6 Carolina Panthers.

As announced on Wednesday afternoon, the team has designated two players to return to practice—wideout Adam Thielen and saftey Jordan Fuller. The veteran receiver has missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury.

Thielen injured his hamstring while reeling in a 31-yard touchdown pass in Carolina’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. The 34-year-old would officially be placed on injured reserve two days later.

He and Fuller will have 21 days to be moved to the active roster.

The Panthers will also be getting outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum back on the practice field.

Wonnum, who has yet to make his team debut, signed a two-year deal worth up to $12.5 million this past spring. The 26-year-old defender was expected to start alongside fellow University of South Carolina Gamecock Jadeveon Clowney to begin the regular season, but sustained a setback during his recovery from a torn quad.

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Panthers getting WR Adam Thielen, 2 key defenders back at practice

The Panthers are getting three players back at practice on Wednesday.

Some much-needed help could soon be on the way for the 1-6 Carolina Panthers.

As announced on Wednesday afternoon, the team has designated two players to return to practice—wideout Adam Thielen and saftey Jordan Fuller. The veteran receiver has missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury.

Thielen injured his hamstring while reeling in a 31-yard touchdown pass in Carolina’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3. The 34-year-old would officially be placed on injured reserve two days later.

He and Fuller will have 21 days to be moved to the active roster.

The Panthers will also be getting outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum back on the practice field.

Wonnum, who has yet to make his team debut, signed a two-year deal worth up to $12.5 million this past spring. The 26-year-old defender was expected to start alongside fellow University of South Carolina Gamecock Jadeveon Clowney to begin the regular season, but sustained a setback during his recovery from a torn quad.

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Should the Panthers trade WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen?

At 1-6, the Panthers may now be thinking a bit beyond 2024. But in what way will Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen be a part of that vision?

Rock bottom may not even exist for the Carolina Panthers anymore. But wherever they are right now, they’re very unlikely to come out of it.

The team moved to 1-6 this past Sunday after eating a 40-7 loss courtesy of a Marcus Mariota-led Washington Commanders squad. Their offense is back in a funk and seemingly regressing under veteran quarterback Andy Dalton while their defense has allowed a ridiculous 34.7 points per game—nearly seven more than the next closest unit.

So, uh, it may be safe to say that the playoffs are a long shot, no?

Now, it might be time to begin a fire sale—a decision that could help kickstart the future a bit. And if they do, the moves could start with wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan traded for Johnson in the offseason to give the offense (namely, second-year quarterback Bryce Young) a legitimate No. 1 option through the air. Although he’s come through with some quality production so far, there have been a few underwhelming moments from the 28-year-old.

According to Pro Football Reference, Johnson is on pace for 73 catches, 867 yards and seven touchdowns—a less-than-stellar line for a former Pro Bowler who was supposed to be the center of the passing attack. He also didn’t put his best foot forward on Sunday, giving up on a route that led to an interception and supplying a not-so-inspiring account of the outing at his locker afterwards.

Carolina has three options for Johnson, who is on the final year of his contract. They can trade him, they can keep him for the remainder of the season and have him hit free agency or they can sign him to an extension.

This, of course, is something that is probably being discussed by Morgan and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis. They must decide whether or not Johnson is a part of their plans for 2025 and beyond.

As for Thielen, the veteran playmaker isn’t getting any younger—and has already been subject of trade rumors as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

The 34-year-old is still a quality route runner with great hands, but is likely a No. 3 or No. 4 option in a good NFL offense right now. Moving on from Thielen, who may want to use his final few seasons for a contender, could be beneficial to both parties—as long as his recovery doesn’t complicate his value.

The chances of Johnson and Thielen being moved have increased since last week, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if both were moved by the Nov. 5 deadline. Until then, their top two receivers will remain in the rumor mill.

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Justin Jefferson had a historic day against the Lions in Week 7

With 81 yards receiving on Sunday, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson moved into 6th place on the team’s receiving yards list.

The Minnesota Vikings came up just short in their bid to beat the Detroit Lions in Week 7 and remain one of the league’s two undefeated teams. Despite jumping out to an early 10-0 lead on the Lions, the Vikings gave up three straight scoring drives to fall into a 21-10 hole before mounting a comeback of their own, but ultimately falling just short.

The loss is a tough one for the Vikings and their fans, but it didn’t come without some highlights. There was the continued dominance of edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, a spectacular scoop-and-score fumble return by linebacker Ivan Pace, Jr., and a performance by wide receiver Justin Jefferson that saw him climb up the Vikings’ all-time receiving list in two categories.

Early in the third quarter, Jefferson came down with a highlight-reel grab to come down with his fifth touchdown of the season, prompting a “I’m like that!” statement from Jefferson before hitting his patented Griddy celebration.

That touchdown was Jefferson’s 35th of his career, breaking a tie with wide receiver Ahmad Rashad for the seventh-most receiving touchdowns in Minnesota Vikings’ history. But Jefferson’s historic day didn’t end there.

Jefferson ended the day with seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Those 81 yards were good enough to move Jefferson into 6th place all-time on the receiving yards list, passing Sammy White. With just four yards in Thursday’s Week 8 game against the Rams, Jefferson will pass another Vikings’ all-time great, Jake Reed, for fifth place on that list, leaving him behind only Adam Thielen, Anthony Carter, Randy Moss, and Cris Carter.

Jefferson’s 81 yards on Sunday gives him 6,430 yards in his career in just 66 games, giving Jefferson by far the most receiving yards per game (97.7) of any receiver in team history — among receivers with at least double-digit receptions, with Moss a distant second at 82.4.

93.7 The Fan host on Steelers’ trade rumors with new WR target

Andrew Fillipponi, host of the popular PIttsburgh sports radio station, 93.7 The Fan, touched a rumor involving a new WR trade target.

Steelers commentator and host of 93.7 The Fan, Andrew Fillipponi, threw some gas on the proverbial ‘Pittsburgh trading for WR’ fire. The trade rumor in question, from Fillipponi, focuses in on the Panthers attempting to move on from former three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro WR Adam Thielen. This isn’t the first trade Pittsburgh has been linked to, as Omar Khan and the Steelers’ organization attempted to trade for both WR Brandon Aiyuk and WR Davante Adams but ultimately came up short. 

Thielen is currently on IR after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3. He will be eligible to return no sooner than the Carolina Panthers’ Week 8 contest against the Denver Broncos on October 27th. Could the Panthers activate Thielen and trade him between this date and the trade deadline on November 5th? 

Fillipponi, asked fans of the ‘Steel City’ on social media if the team should pursue the former Vikings receiver.

Let us know what you think about the rumor involving Pittsburgh’s sixth-round pick and Adam Thielen below:

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Pair of Panthers WRs named potential trade targets for Chiefs

Could the Chiefs end up targeting at least one of the Panthers’ top wide receivers?

This may sound absurd, but the Carolina Panthers might have what the reigning Super Bowl champions are looking for.

On Monday, Sports Illustrated senior NFL reporter Albert Breer came through with his biggest takeaways of Week 5. Amongst the “quick-hitters” in his column was a bit about the Kansas City Chiefs, who seem likely to make a move for a wideout.

With Rashee Rice and Marquise “Hollywood” Brown currently sidelined, the Chiefs are in need of some receiving help. And that help could come courtesy of your 1-4 Panthers.

Breer writes:

The Kansas City Chiefs’ plan at receiver: Examine what it looks like with Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster, et all at the position, and then plan toward the Nov. 5 trade deadline. The Tennessee Titans (DeAndre Hopkins, Treylon Burks) and Panthers (Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson) could have options for Kansas City should it get aggressive.

Ironically, Johnson and Thielen aren’t the healthiest pair of pass catchers at the moment. The latter is sitting on injured reserve due to a “fairly significant” hamstring strain while the former has been dealing with a nagging groin issue that first popped up during the summer.

But if both are eventually good to go and the Panthers remain, well, not good—then the Chiefs could soon come calling.

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