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David Newton, ESPN Staff Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers plan to place Adam Thielen on injured reserve with a severe hamstring injury, league sources told ESPN, meaning the 34-year-old wide receiver will miss at least the next four games.
Thielen suffered the injury on a 31-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Andy Dalton with 44 seconds remaining in the first half of the Panthers’ 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
It was Dalton’s first game after replacing Bryce Young, the top pick of the 2023 draft, and first win for first-year head coach Dave Canales.
Carolina signed Thielen to a three-year, $25 million deal before the 2023 season. He led the team with 103 receptions for 1,014 yards in his first season after leaving the Minnesota Vikings. He had eight catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in the first three games this season.
Thielen’s absence means 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette, who has eight catches for 77 yards, and 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo, who has six receptions for 59 yards, will move up on the depth chart for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3) at Bank of America Stadium.
The Panthers also plan to promote undrafted wide receiver Jalen Coker from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, a source told ESPN.