The Carolina Panthers may be shorthanded against the Atlanta Falcons in their Week 1 opener this Sunday.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, wide receivers D.J. Chark (hamstring) Adam Thielen (ankle) were absent from Thursday’s practice. Both veterans were signed by the Panthers in free agency earlier this offseason.
If both Chark and Thielen are absent, this will leave rookie quarterback Bryce Young at a disadvantage heading into his NFL debut. Third-year wideout Terrace Marshall Jr. is nursing a back injury, so even if he plays, there’s no guarantee that the 23-year-old will be at full strength.
Carolina’s other receivers on the depth chart are Laviska Shenault Jr., rookie Jonathan Mingo and Ihmir Smith-Marsette. Of course, they’ll have to promote some guys from the practice squad if Chark, Thielen and/or Marshall Jr. are sidelined.
The Panthers signed Thielen to a three-year deal worth $25 million in free agency following his release from Minnesota. Chark joined the Panthers on a one-year deal worth $5 million after a one-year stint with the Detroit Lions.
Thielen is a two-time Pro Bowler who last put up 1,000 yards receiving for the Minnesota Vikings in 2018. Chark was a Pro Bowler in 2019 after tallying 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns in Jacksonville, but he hasn’t come close to those totals since.
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After visiting Atlanta, Carolina will return home to host the New Orleans Saints in Week 2.
