The injuries won’t stop this season. Carolina Panthers WR Diontae Johnson popped up on Thursday’s practice report with a groin issue. Should fantasy football managers be looking at alternatives ahead of the Panthers’ Week 4 date with the Cincinnati Bengals?
What Is the Latest Injury Update for Diontae Johnson?
For the third consecutive week, several players who were perfectly healthy to start the week showed up on the injury report unexpectedly. So far, we’ve already seen A.J. Brown, George Kittle, Bijan Robinson, Nico Collins, and Davante Adams pop up with injuries sustained at practice (plus Evan Engram got hurt in pre-game warmups).
Now, add Johnson to the list.
The timing couldn’t be worse for managers who drafted Johnson. One of the best route runners of the past half-decade, Johnson was a popular middle-round pick in 2024 fantasy drafts. The hope was that improved quarterback play outside of Pittsburgh would unlock the upside Johnson demonstrated during Ben Roethlisberger’s waning years.
Johnson opened the season looking like a major bust, largely due to Bryce Young’s continued lack of development. However, a change to Andy Dalton appeared to kick-start Johnson’s season.
After totaling five receptions for 34 yards in his first two games, Johnson amassed 122 yards, eight receptions, and a touchdown on 14 targets in Week 3. Given how well Jayden Daniels was able to move the ball on the Bengals last week, combined with this being a Dalton revenge game, fantasy managers are undoubtedly excited about Johnson’s Week 4 prospects. This injury potentially puts a damper on that.
It’s never good when a player misses practice. It’s even worse when that player wasn’t on the injury report at all on Wednesday, which is the case with Johnson.
Apparently, Johnson has been dealing with a relatively minor groin issue on and off since training camp.
Worth noting that Johnson also dealt with a groin issue in mid-August. https://t.co/cu6pAJPDw3
— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) September 26, 2024
While the little “Q” tag next to Johnson’s name on fantasy platforms will likely send some managers into a slight panic, this seems to be a big old nothing burger, as Johnson has said he’ll be good to go for Sunday.
Diontae Johnson said field conditions impacted his decision to sit out. Adds he’s good to go Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mXz2Yq4wA7
— Joe Person (@josephperson) September 26, 2024
It appears the Panthers are just playing it safe with Johnson. Players are frequently overly optimistic about their abilities to recover from injuries. However, in this case, I believe Johnson.
After missing Thursday’s practice, Johnson was a limited participant on Friday and was listed as questionable.
At this point, fantasy managers do not need to make any plans to replace Johnson. Not only do I fully expect him to play, I don’t anticipate him even having an injury designation.
Johnson’s Fantasy Outlook
As if our QB grades didn’t give you context enough, the ineptitude of Young was on full display in Week 3 as Dalton was able to come off the bench and make Johnson look like a Hall of Famer.
Johnson’s production in 2024
- Weeks 1-2: 21.8% target share and a 41.7% catch rate
- Week 3: 37.8% targets share and a 57.1% catch rate
The touchdown Johnson scored on Sunday was a five-yard dime from Dalton, and as the unquestioned WR1 in an offense that figures to be playing catch-up, Johnson is a top-25 option for me and could reasonably be played over Tyreek Hill.
It’s a crazy world out there, and we are still in September.
With Adam Thielen sidelined due to a hamstring injury, expect Johnson to be even more involved on Sunday. Last week, Thielen and Johnson dominated from the slot (both touchdowns came when lined up there), a role that now falls completely in the lap of the former Steeler against a defense that has allowed a league-high 83.3% completion percentage when opponents target the slot.
While Johnson figures to carve up the Bengals with crossing routes, could first-round rookie Xavier Legette get the chance to prove he’s more than just an elite interview?
The 6’3” former Gamecock has yet to get much in the way of an opportunity (77 yards on 10 targets), but the size profile is encouraging, and my podcast co-host Theo Ash is excited about the opportunity for a kid who averaged 17.7 yards per catch in his final collegiate season.
I’m not planting a flag or anything on him, but if you have roster space available, he’s likely free in your league now, whereas he might cost you a waiver priority/FAAB come next week.