DIONTAE JOHNSON NEWS

Panthers rule out WRs Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen Bryce Young will be minus two top targets when he gets back under center for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.On Friday, receivers Diontae Jo...

OCTOBER 25 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Ruled out for Week 8 Johnson (ribs) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Johnson missed a trio of practices leading up to Week 8 action, and despite saying Thursday that believed he'd be available versus Denver, the No. 1 wideout will officially be sidelined. Adam Thielen (hamstring), who returned to practice off IR this week, has also been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Broncos, which second-year quarterback Bryce Young will start. That will leave Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, David Moore and Jonathan Mingo as the Panthers' top available wide receivers for Week 8, with Johnson's next chance to take the field coming Week 9 against the Saints.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers Wideout Depth Takes Hit After Another Injury Prompting Trade Rumors The Pittsburgh Steelers have been linked to a wide receiver trade seemingly since the offseason when they sent Diontae Johnson to Carolina.

OCTOBER 25 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Diontae Johnson on Bryce: 'He's going to be prepared' Panthers Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson speaks to the media Thursday.

OCTOBER 24 • PANTHERS.COM

Tending to rib injury Johnson didn't practice Thursday due to a rib injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Johnson was listed as a DNP on Wednesday with 'non injury related - resting player, rib', but the few words before 'rib" weren't included on Thursday's practice report, indicating he's dealing with a legitimate health concern. He'll thus have just one more chance to mix into drills this week before the Panthers potentially make a decision on his availability for Sunday's game at Denver.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Cooper Kupp, DK Metcalf headline WRs who could move before trade deadline

While Davante Adams and Amari Cooper are gone, teams can still find WR help on the trade market. Here's where five more big names could land...

OCTOBER 24

Held to one catch Johnson recorded one catch on three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Commanders.

Impact The Carolina offense had an abysmal performance overall, as Ja'Tavion Sanders was the only pass-catcher to record more than two receptions. Despite putting up big numbers in most weeks with Andy Dalton under center, Johnson couldn't overcome his surroundings Sunday. Johnson should be safe for volume in most weeks, but given the volatile nature of the Panthers' offense, these types of showings will continue occasionally moving forward.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Held to one catch Johnson recorded one catch on three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 40-7 loss to the Commanders.

Impact The Carolina offense had an abysmal performance overall, as Ja'Tavion Sanders was the only pass catcher to record more than two receptions. Despite putting up big numbers in most weeks with Andy Dalton under center, Johnson couldn't overcome his surroundings Sunday. Johnson should be safe for volume in most weeks, but given the volatile nature of the Panthers' offense, these types of showings will likely continue occasionally moving forward.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Active as expected Sunday Johnson (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Commanders, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact The oft-injured veteran wideout was said to be trending toward active status in reports issued earlier in the weekend, and Johnson's availability is now confirmed. As such, Johnson will continue to operate as the top on-paper target for veteran signal-caller Andy Dalton, who's helped facilitate a 24-306-3 line on 43 targets for the talented pass catcher over his first four games as the starting quarterback.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Injury roundup: Panthers WR Diontae Johnson (ribs/hamstring/ankle) expected to play vs. Commanders Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (ribs/hamstring/ankle) is expected to play versus the Washington Commanders, per NFL Network...

OCTOBER 20 • NFL.COM

Likely to play Sunday Johnson (ankle) is expected to play Sunday against the Commanders, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact On top of the ankle issue, Johnson has also been dealing with hamstring and rib injuries, which caused him to miss practice Wednesday and Thursday before getting in a limited session Friday. It's unclear how close to 100 percent Johnson is, but he's trending toward being active Sunday. Johnson has drawn a team-leading 43 targets across four starts with Andy Dalton under center, cementing himself as a locked-in fantasy starter.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Struggling Panthers rule out 6 players for Sunday's game at Washington, 3 others listed as doubtful

The Carolina Panthers are on a three-game losing streak and they have a growing list of injuries to deal with entering Sunday’s game at Washington

OCTOBER 18 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Listed as questionable Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Washington, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact He played through an ankle injury the past two weeks but is now listed with hamstring and rib injuries as well. Johnson was held out of practice Wednesday and Thursday before returning to limited participation at the end of the week, which gives the impression he's truly questionable ahead of a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. An absence would leave more playing time for WR Jonathan Mingo while boosting the target-share projections for nearly every other piece of Carolina's offense, including WRs Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker and TE Ja'Tavion Sanders.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Present at practice Johnson (ankle) is preparing to practice Friday morning, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact He'll likely be a limited participant after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday, but this nonetheless confirms Johnson is making a bid to play Sunday at Washington. He played through the same ankle injury the last two weeks, including this past Sunday when he had a 6-78-1 receiving line (10 targets) in a 38-20 loss to the Falcons.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Commanders named potential suitor for Panthers WR Diontae Johnson at NFL trade deadline This week's opponent may take a special interest in Carolina's new number one wide receiver.

OCTOBER 18 • SI.COM

Panthers injuries: Diontae Johnson, Jadeveon Clowney & two other key players miss second straight day Thursday evening, the Carolina Panthers released their second injury report of the week and unfortunately for Dave Canales and Co., it got a...

OCTOBER 17 • SI.COM

Missing practice again Johnson (ankle) isn't practicing Thursday, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Johnson played through the same ankle injury the last two weeks, including this past Sunday when he caught six of 10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown in a 38-20 loss to the Falcons. It's concerning for fantasy managers to see Johnson held out of back-to-back practices, as he managed limited participant in each session last week ahead of his strong showing against Atlanta. He may be in some danger of missing Sunday's game at Washington.

OCTOBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Maxx Crosby, Bryce Young headline 10 potential NFL trades we'd like to see

Could multiple Pro Bowlers and a former No. 1 pick actually be moved before the deadline? Here's what it might take — and who'll take them.

OCTOBER 16

Sports betting: Commanders provide two good bets to score, Brian Robinson Jr. and Terry McLaurin

Plenty of touchdowns were scored during Week 6 of the NFL season and plenty more are expected this week

OCTOBER 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Held out of Wednesday's practice Johnson (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.

Impact Johnson has managed to play through his ankle injury in back-to-back games, though he was limited in practice leading up to Carolina's loss to the Falcons in Week 6. The veteran wideout led the Panthers in receiving versus Atlanta, securing six of 10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown, while playing 89 percent of offensive snaps -- his largest workload since Week 2. Johnson will look to return to practice in at least a limited capacity Thursday, and ultimately to gain clearance for Sunday's road matchup against the Commanders.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Leads CAR in receiving Johnson (ankle) finished with six receptions (10 targets) for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Johnson suited up as expected following a bout with a minor ankle injury leading up to Sunday's contest. The veteran wideout served his usual role as the Carolina's No. 1 receiving option, leading the club in every receiving category while cashing in his third touchdown of the season. The longtime Pittsburgh Steeler has not skipped a beat since changing squads this past offseason, generating 340 yards off of 29 receptions (55 targets) through six games. Johnson makes for a fine fantasy play against a soft Washington defense next Sunday.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Leads CAR in receiving Johnson (ankle) finished with six receptions (10 targets) for 78 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Falcons.

Impact Johnson suited up as expected following a bout with a minor ankle injury leading up to Sunday's contest. The veteran wideout served his usual role as the Carolina's No. 1 receiving option, leading the club in every receiving category while cashing in his third touchdown of the season. The longtime Pittsburgh Steeler has not skipped a beat since changing squads this past offseason, generating 340 yards off of 29 receptions (55 targets) through six games. Johnson makes for a fine fantasy play against a soft Washington defense next Sunday.

OCTOBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Diontae Johnson: 'The play is going to come as long as you keep playing your game' Watch the Panthers wideout speak to the media after the team's Week 6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

OCTOBER 14 • PANTHERS.COM

Highlight: Andy Dalton hits Diontae Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown Watch the Panthers pair connect to take an early 7-0 lead.

OCTOBER 13 • PANTHERS.COM

Officially active Sunday Johnson (ankle) is active for Sunday's Week 6 matchup against the Falcons, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact The veteran wideout was thought to be trending in the right direction entering the weekend, and that optimism has now been validated. With Johnson available to serve in his customary No. 1 role, he'll carry a solid fantasy outlook provided no in-game setbacks, as the Panthers could well turn into a pass-heavy approach in a game they enter as home underdogs and face a Falcons offense that appears to be settling into a groove.

OCTOBER 13 • ROTOWIRE