Panthers Enlist Emerging Talent to Substitute For Their Experienced Wide Receiver in Sunday’s Matchup Against The Bengals.
The Carolina Panthers will rely on two young wide receivers to fill the gap left by veteran Adam Thielen, who will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a right hamstring injury.
Coach Dave Canales has yet to decide if rookie Xavier Legette or second-year player Jonathan Mingo will start this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, he anticipates that both will play significant roles alongside David Moore.
Canales acknowledged that Thielen, 34, leaves a substantial void. “Adam plays with great speed and makes the right decisions,” he stated. “As the week progresses, we’ll evaluate who can energize our passing game as we continue to grow.”
Thielen’s injury comes just as the Panthers’ previously struggling passing game began to thrive with 36-year-old Andy Dalton at the helm. Dalton took over for the faltering No. 1 overall pick, Bryce Young, and delivered an impressive performance, completing 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, helping Carolina (1-0) secure a decisive victory against Las Vegas.
Dalton expressed the team’s loss, stating, “We are definitely going to miss Adam because he’s reliable, and you know what to expect from him. But we have players who can step up and help us win.”
Mingo and Legette have similar performance stats this season, each recording six receptions.
Thielen sustained his injury while making a diving catch for a 31-yard touchdown right before halftime. He immediately felt something was wrong and reached for his hamstring, not returning to the game.
Frustrated with the timing of his injury, Thielen said, “We were really clicking as an offense, and winning the game felt great. I want to be out there more than anything; I even wanted to practice today.”
Despite his setback, Thielen is excited about the opportunities for Legette and Mingo, who he has mentored. He believes the experiences they gain now will benefit the Panthers in the future. “I appreciate their attitude, the questions they ask, and their competitive spirit,” he noted.
With Thielen out, Dalton may target Diontae Johnson and running back Chuba Hubbard more frequently. Dalton and Johnson appeared to have strong chemistry in their first game together, with Johnson being targeted 14 times and recording eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown, a notable improvement from his previous two games with Young, where he had only five receptions for 34 yards.
Hubbard, still without a significant receiving threat at tight end, also contributed by catching five passes for 55 yards, including a touchdown on the opening drive.
Thielen confirmed he won’t require surgery but refrained from discussing the exact timeline for his return. Eager to get back on the field, he stated he plans to return “with a vengeance.”
Regarding the diving catch that caused his injury, Thielen remarked he would do it again without hesitation. “Absolutely,” he affirmed. “You can’t play this game with regrets. Every time you’re on that field, you’re putting your body on the line for your team.”
