Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (groin) did not participate in Thursday's practice at training camp. Johnson continues to be bothered by a mild groin strain, and it doesn't look like he'll be active for the Panthers in Saturday's preseason game against the visiting New York Jets at Bank of America Stadium. His status needs to be monitored by fantasy managers going forward, but the injury is not yet enough to move Johnson's place as a fringe WR2/3 in rankings at the moment. The 28-year-old former Pro Bowler should dominate targets in his new role as the top option in Carolina's passing game this season, having recorded a career-high 14.1 yards per reception over 51 catches with the Pittsburgh Steelers a year ago.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (knee) suffered a knee injury at training camp on Thursday. Head coach Dave Canales said the team had "big concerns (initially) but initial testing looks good." We'll have more information on Hubbard's injury once we know more, but it looks like he's avoided a serious injury that could keep him out for the start of the 2024 season. However, it's likely that the 25-year-old will miss some practice time and probably won't suit up for the second preseason contest this Saturday against the New York Jets. Currently at the top of Carolina's RB depth chart, any time missed by Hubbard will give rookie Jonathon Brooks and Miles Sanders more reps in camp. Brooks is the favorite to lead Carolina's offense production-wise by the end of the year, but Hubbard is also worth a late-round flier as a handcuff and bench stash in deeper leagues.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (groin) is dealing with a mild groin strain and is considered day-to-day, head coach Dave Canales told reporters at Wednesday's practice during training camp. Soft-tissue injuries always have a chance to linger, but it would likely be an overreaction at this point to significantly alter Johnson's standing in fantasy rankings based on this development. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to return to practice ahead of Saturday's preseason game against the visiting New York Jets. Without very much competition surrounding him in Carolina's receiving corps, Johnson figures to be the focal point of the Panthers' passing game in 2024 as quarterback Bryce Young's top target. The 27-year-old veteran wideout is a WR3 with WR2 upside in the second half of fantasy drafts this summer.

Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot) returned to training camp practice on Monday after missing several days with a foot injury. In addition to missing some valuable practice time at the end of last week, Legette was also forced to sit out of the preseason opener last Thursday against the New England Patriots. It remains to be seen if the 23-year-old will play in the second preseason contest this Saturday against the New York Jets. The good news is that he's now back on the field as he tries to get up to speed for his first NFL campaign in 2024. Carolina's offense should have nowhere to go but up after last year's struggles, but with the addition of Diontae Johnson and the presence of veteran Adam Thielen, Legette could have trouble being anything more than an occasional big-play threat for fantasy managers in his rookie season.

Carolina Panthers kicker Eddy Pineiro appears to have won the starting kicker job heading into the regular season. The organization has waived undrafted free agent Harrison Mervis on Sunday. That leaves Pineiro as the only kicker on the roster, which means he should be the starter heading into the season. Last season, Pineiro connected on 25-of-29 field goal attempts while hitting 17-of-20 PATs in 15 games. He is in the final year of a two-year deal, so we'll see if he improves in 2024 and earns himself a new deal.