CHARLOTTE (CHARLOTTE SPORTS LIVE) — The Panthers have placed veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
Thielen will miss at least four weeks, making him eligible to return no sooner than the Panthers’ Week 8 matchup against the Broncos on Oct. 27.
Thielen is the team’s second-leading receiver with 109 yards on eight catches and one touchdown.
In Week 3’s win against the Raiders, Diontae Johnson had a breakout game with eight catches, 122 yards and one touchdown. He’ll be leaned out in Thielen’s absence, along with the three other wide receivers on the active roster- Jonathon Mingo, David Moore, and rookie Xavier Legette.
Tight ends Tommy Tremble and rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders will also likely see an increase in receiving work. Through three games, they have a combined nine catches for 64 yards.
Carolina also placed safety Jordan Fuller on IR and waived tight end Messiah Swinson. To fill those three spots on the active roster, the Panthers announced they signed wide receiver Jalen Coker and safeties Demani Richardson and Russ Yeast from the practice squad.
Meanwhile, safety Alex Cook and cornerback Justin Hardee have been signed to the practice, and outside linebacker Eku Leota was released from the practice squad.
The Panthers return to Bank of America Stadium in Week 4 to take on the Cincinnati Bengals at 1 p.m.
