Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette could see more opportunities with Adam Thielen (hamstring) placed on Injured Reserve, according to Alex Zietlow of the Charlotte Observer. The rookie out of South Carolina has six catches for 77 yards in three games this season. With Thielen out now, Legette could emerge as a secondary target for new quarterback Andy Dalton behind Diontae Johnson. Dalton was much more effective in leading the Panthers' offense in Week 3 and looks like an upgrade over Bryce Young. Legette could benefit from that and the increased snap share he is likely to see with Thielen sidelined. Legette is looking like a sneaky waiver-wire addition ahead of what could be a breakout Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Carolina Panthers are placing wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday due to the right-hamstring injury he suffered in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, according to a source. There is no timetable on Thielen, but he's expected back sooner than later. Thielen will now be required to miss at least four games, so the earliest he could return would be in Week 8 versus the Denver Broncos. It's a tough blow for fantasy managers that held onto Thielen after a rough first two weeks. The 34-year-old veteran had three catches for 40 yards and his first touchdown of the year in Week 3, though, with quarterback Andy Dalton taking over for the struggling Bryce Young. Thielen isn't a must-stash by any means while he's out, and while he's sidelined, Diontae Johnson, rookie Xavier Legette and Jonathan Mingo will all see a boost in targets.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales reiterated that veteran quarterback Andy Dalton is the starting QB after he led the team to their first win of the season over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 on Sunday. "Andy's our quarterback. He gives us our best chance to win," Canales said. Carolina decided to bench Bryce Young, the first overall pick in 2023, after two disastrous outings to begin his sophomore campaign. Dalton proceeded to go 26-for-37 for 319 yards with three touchdowns and no interception in a surprising 36-22 win over Vegas. The Red Rifle instantly made the Panthers' offense better in his first start of the year, and while Young is expected to start again at some point in 2024, this is Dalton's show for now. QB-needy fantasy managers in superflex leagues could do worse than Dalton in a pinch heading into Carolina's Week 4 meeting against his former team, the Cincinnati Bengals.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) is expected to miss some time with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the Week 3 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, according to sources. An exact timetable for Thielen's return is unclear at the moment, but he will miss time. The veteran wideout had three receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown from veteran quarterback Andy Dalton before leaving Sunday's contest with his injury. The news comes after the 34-year-old had an MRI exam on Monday. It's tough news for Thielen, who was becoming interesting again in fantasy with quarterback Bryce Young on the bench. As long as Dalton remains under center, Thielen should have a higher fantasy ceiling, although it's hard to recommend stashing him in shallow leagues since he has no timeline for a return. Rookie Xavier Legette could be worth waiver consideration in deeper leagues with Thielen out.

Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders received very limited work in the team's first win of the season, but he did find the end zone. The veteran back received seven carries and two targets which he turned into 17 yards and a touchdown on the ground, and 13 yards through the air. This was Sanders' second touchdown since putting on a Panthers uniform. His only score last season came in Week 3 as well. The touchdown turned a dreadful fantasy week into an okay one. Still, he's not likely to see increased opportunities especially after Chuba Hubbard turned in a big performance with 169 total yards and a touchdown of his own. Sanders isn't much more than a depth option moving forward, especially when Jonathon Brooks returns to the field.