In a frustrating turn of events, the Carolina Panthers will be without wide receiver Diontae Johnson as they prepare to face the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Just a day after expressing optimism about his return, the Panthers officially ruled Johnson out due to a rib injury.
Head coach Dave Canales was tight-lipped when asked if this decision was influenced by Johnson’s trade value. He deferred those inquiries to general manager Dan Morgan and executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis, leaving fans to speculate on the implications for the struggling team.
Johnson has been dealing with injuries this season, including the same rib injury along with an ankle issue that sidelined him in the previous week’s 40-7 debacle against the Washington Commanders. Acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the offseason, Johnson is in the final year of his contract, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
“I want to do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done,” Canales said after Friday’s practice. “The fact that we couldn’t get him back on the field… I felt confident in the guys stepping in.”
Adding to the Panthers’ challenges, veteran receiver Adam Thielen is also out with a hamstring injury. Although Thielen was designated for return earlier this week, he remains sidelined, leaving Carolina with a significant gap in their receiving corps. Thielen, who had been a reliable target, played only three games this season due to his hamstring woes.
With Johnson leading the team in receptions (30), receiving yards (357), and touchdowns (three), and Thielen sidelined, the pressure mounts on rookie quarterback Bryce Young. Without these key players, Young’s available targets will now include rookie Xavier Legette (18 catches, 177 yards), Jonathan Mingo (12 catches, 121 yards), Jalen Coker (8 catches, 108 yards), and David Moore (5 catches, 44 yards).
Compounding the uncertainty, quarterback Andy Dalton is considered a “longshot” to back up Young, as he recovers from a sprained thumb suffered in a car accident earlier in the week. The likely backup now appears to be undrafted rookie Jack Plummer, who has yet to see significant action this season.
“The whole thing is that the guys he’s going to be playing with on Sunday practiced with him and did a great job,” Canales remarked. “It was a really good week of practice in terms of the throwing and catching and rhythm.”
On a slightly brighter note for the Panthers, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who has missed the past two games due to a shoulder injury, is set to play against the Broncos. However, the team’s offensive struggles may overshadow this good news as they navigate yet another week filled with injuries and uncertainty.
As the Panthers look to shake off their 1-6 record, Sunday’s game against the Broncos presents a critical opportunity for the team to regroup and adapt in the face of adversity. With injuries mounting, the Panthers will need to dig deep and rely on the emerging talents of their younger players to make an impact.
