Andy Dalton led the Carolina Panthers to 21 first-half points on Sunday but watched one of his top receivers suffer an apparent injury in the process
Wideout Adam Thielen was injured while catching a touchdown to make it 21-7 Panthers in Week 3. Here’s the latest on Carolina’s veteran wideout.
What Happened to Panthers WR Adam Thielen in Week 3?
Thielen hauled in a 31-yard touchdown from Dalton with 28 seconds remaining in the second half of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He immediately appeared to be in pain while his Panthers teammates started signaling for medical attention. Thielen eventually left the field with a limp.
The 34-year-old went to Carolina’s locker room just before halftime.
DIME TIME from El Rifle Rojo pic.twitter.com/XNzO3e5gwr
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 22, 2024
The Panthers initially announced that Thielen was questionable to return with a hamstring injury. However, Carolina ruled him out for the rest of the game just minutes later.
First-round rookie Xavier Legette replaced Thielen in the Panthers’ starting lineup at the start of the third quarter.
Thielen said postgame that he will know more about his hamstring issue once he undergoes an MRI on Monday. On Monday evening, NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that Thielen is expected to miss time with a hamstring injury. The following morning, Ian Rapoport reported that Thielen will be going on injured reserve.
Source: The #Panthers are placing WR Adam Thielen on Injured Reserve because of the hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday. But Thielen is expected back sooner rather than later. pic.twitter.com/4YQ2VcQEsR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 24, 2024
Thielen’s touchdown catch was his third grab in Week 3. He caught five passes for 69 scoreless yards in Carolina’s first two games.
Thielen inked a three-year, $25 million deal with the Panthers last offseason, then posted a 103-1,014-4 line in his first season in the NFC South.
After playing in all 17 games last season, Thielen had remained healthy in 2024. He appeared on Carolina’s injury report with a shoulder issue heading into Week 2 but fully practiced before playing 94% of the Panthers’ snaps.
Fantasy Implications of Thielen’s Injury
Much like every Panthers WR, Thielen was not relevant in fantasy while Bryce Young was under center. But with Dalton at the helm, both Diontae Johnson and Thielen had big first halves.
Thielen had three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game.
With Thielen set to miss time, it would just mean more volume for Johnson. Neither Xavier Legette nor Jonathan Mingo is likely worth rostering.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Jason Katz