Diontae Johnson - Page 4 - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Expected to suit up Sunday Johnson (ankle) is likely to play in Sunday's Week 6 game against Atlanta, according to sources, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson has been dealing with an ankle issue for nearly two weeks, but he was able to suit up in Week 5 against Chicago and appears set to do so Sunday versus the Falcons as well. The wideout was quiet against the Bears with just three catches on six targets for 23 yards along with two rushes for six yards, but there's no indication that the injured ankle was responsible, as Carolina's passing game struggled mightily overall. Johnson posted a much more robust 15-205-2 receiving line combined in Weeks 3 and 4 while working with veteran QB Andy Dalton.

OCTOBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Johnson (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact There hasn't been much suggestion of legitimate concern about Johnson's Week 6 availability, but fantasy managers will now need to make sure he's active ahead of a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff Sunday. Johnson played through the same injury last week and handled his normal workload until the fourth quarter of a 36-10 loss to the Bears, catching three of six targets for 23 yards and taking two carries for six yards. It was by far his worst fantasy performance since Andy Dalton took over as the starting quarterback, albeit in what was easily the toughest matchup of that stretch. In any case, Johnson heads into the weekend with at least some degree of uncertainty after being a limited practice participant Wednesday through Friday.

OCTOBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Diontae Johnson talks about Hurricane Milton affecting his hometown of Tampa Watch the Panthers wideout speak to the media in Week 6.

OCTOBER 11 • PANTHERS.COM

Limited in practice again Johnson (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Johnson played through the same injury and handled his normal workload in Sunday's loss to the Bears, after logging limited practices Thursday and Friday last week. He's now been a limited participant Wednesday and Thursday this week, giving him one last chance to upgrade to 'full' before Sunday's game against the Falcons.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Limited by ankle issue Johnson was limited at Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Johnson now has logged three consecutive capped sessions going back to last week, but he was able to suit up for this past Sunday's loss at Chicago and handle a typical 80 percent snap share on his way to three catches (on six targets) for 23 yards. Meanwhile, Xavier Legette (shoulder) practiced in full Wednesday, meaning the Panthers may have most of their wide receivers not named Adam Thielen (hamstring) available Week 6 against the Falcons on Sunday.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Disappointing numbers in loss Johnson secured three of six targets for 23 yards in the Panthers' 36-10 loss to the Bears on Sunday. He also rushed twice for six yards.

Impact The chemistry demonstrated by Johnson and Andy Dalton over the previous two games wasn't anywhere to be found Sunday against an aggressive Bears defense. Johnson's pedestrian numbers were almost certainly a byproduct of the matchup, however, and per head coach Dave Canales' postgame comments, it appears the veteran receiver will have a chance to continue working with Dalton in a Week 6 home matchup against the Falcons despite the veteran signal-caller's late-game benching Sunday.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to face Chicago Johnson (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Chicago, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson never quite progressed to full practice participation, logging limited sessions Thursday and Friday, but the lack of an injury designation nonetheless confirms his ankle isn't a major concern. He's caught 15 of 27 targets for 205 yards and two TDs in two games since Andy Dalton took over as the starting QB, putting up big numbers against the Raiders and then Bengals. Chicago's defense should be more of a challenge, but Johnson doesn't necessarily need efficient production to be useful in fantasy, as he's accounted for 30 percent of Carolina's targets and 44 percent of the team air yards.

OCTOBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Puts in limited practice Johnson (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Johnson took a step forward from Wednesday, when he opened the practice week as a non-participant due to the ankle issue. The wideout will look to upgrade to full activity Friday, and if he does, Johnson will likely head into Sunday's game against the Bears without an injury designation. Johnson has demonstrated a strong rapport with Andy Dalton through the latter's first two turns as Carolina's starting quarterback, stringing together a 15-205-2 receiving line on 27 targets between a Week 3 win over the Raiders and a Week 4 loss to the Bengals.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Thursday Johnson (ankle) is participating in Thursday's practice, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Johnson sat out Wednesday's practice due to an ankle issue, but Panthers head coach Dave Canales offered optimism that the veteran wideout would be available Week 5. Carolina may simply be exercising caution with Johnson, who played through a groin injury Week 4. In the Panthers' last two games, both of which featured Andy Dalton under center, Johnson has combined for 15 catches for 205 yards and two touchdowns on 27 targets. Even practicing in a limited capacity Thursday would signify an improvement for Johnson, as he works to gain clearance for Sunday's road matchup against the Bears.

OCTOBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

"Florida Man": Cart Talk with Diontae Johnson Panthers Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson talks about changes in the offense, Florida alligators and being from Tampa.

OCTOBER 2 • PANTHERS.COM

WR Diontae Johnson not worrying about trade rumors, would prefer to stay with the Panthers

With several NFL teams including the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in need of a top-notch wide receiver, Diontae Johnson’s name has emerged as a possible trade c...

OCTOBER 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Diontae Johnson: 'Everybody's playing with that grit' Watch the Panthers wideout speak to the media in Week 5.

OCTOBER 2 • PANTHERS.COM

Panthers HC Dave Canales says team not interested in trading WR Diontae Johnson Amid a week swirling with NFL trade speculation, Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reportes the team has no plans to trade wide receiver...

OCTOBER 2 • NFL.COM

Dealing with ankle issue Johnson didn't practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury.

Impact It sounds like the Panthers are merely exercising caution with Johnson, as coach Dave Canales relayed that the team wants to "get ahead of it" in reference to the wide receiver's health concern. Johnson has taken off the last two games with Andy Dalton under center, combining for 15 catches (on 27 targets) for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Considering his outsized role in Carolina's offense at the moment, his status will be one to monitor as the week goes in to get a sense of his chances to play Sunday at Chicago.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Diontae Johnson: 'We still got that dog in us' Watch the Panthers wideout speak to the media after the team's Week 4 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals.

SEPTEMBER 30 • PANTHERS.COM

Another big game in Week 4 Johnson caught seven of his 13 targets for 83 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's 34-24 loss to the Bengals.

Impact The first-year Panther has been one of fantasy's top wide receivers since Andy Dalton took over for Bryce Young at quarterback. Johnson has caught 15 of his 27 targets for 205 yards and two touchdowns, including five catches of 15-plus yards, over Carolina's last two games. The Panthers' trailed for most of Sunday's contest, and Johnson benefitted from Dalton's 40 pass attempts, but that's expected to be a common theme this season, as Carolina's defense has now given up just over 32 points per game through four weeks. Johnson is expected to continue putting up big numbers and remain the Panthers' top target as the team travels to Chicago in Week 5.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Must-See: Dalton pinpoints Diontae Johnson for 21-yard TD connection Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton pinpoints wide receiver Diontae Johnson for a 21-yard touchdown connection.

SEPTEMBER 29 • PANTHERS.COM

Ready for regular role Johnson (groin) is active for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Impact Johnson had a groin injury pop up Thursday that sidelined him for practice, but he got in a limited session Friday and will be ready for action in Week 4. There doesn't seem to be any concern about his snap count or effectiveness, as Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports that the wide receiver got extra work in with new starting quarterback Andy Dalton throughout the week. Johnson should once again serve as the focal point of the Carolina passing attack.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Expected to play Sunday Johnson (groin) is expected to play Sunday versus the Bengals, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Johnson returned to practice Friday after missing Thursday's session with a groin injury and he now appears to be on track to suit up against Cincinnati. The wide receiver caught eight of 14 targets for 122 yards and a touchdown in Week 3 versus the Raiders and he'll likely remain busy against the Bengals.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable after limited practice Johnson (groin) was limited in Friday's practice and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Johnson's absence from practice Thursday was downplayed, with Steve Reed of the Associated Press suggesting it was a precautionary measure due to a wet field. That may be true, but fantasy managers will need to monitor the situation ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff after Johnson was limited in his return to practice and given an injury designation for the game. Panthers coach Dave Canales said he's optimistic about Johnson's chance of playing, as the wide receiver looked fast during practice Friday, per Reed.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Johnson (groin) returned to practice Friday, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact This supports the notion that Johnson was held out of Thursday's practice because the field was wet rather than on account of any real concern about his Week 4 availability. It remains to be seen if the Panthers give him an injury designation Friday afternoon on their final injury report for Sunday's game against the Bengals.

SEPTEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Sits out practice with groin issue Johnson was added to the Carolina injury report as a non-participant in Thursday's practice due to a groin injury, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Impact While a mid-week addition to the injury report can often be a foreboding sign, Steve Reed of the Associated Press relays that the team considers Johnson's absence from Thursday's practice as precautionary due to the slick field conditions in Charlotte. Johnson is expected to return to practice Friday, which would alleviate most of the concern about his status heading into Sunday's game against the Bengals. With Adam Thielen (hamstring) landing on injured reserve earlier this week, Johnson could end up taking on an even greater share of the target volume in the Carolina passing game. Johnson demonstrated a strong rapport with quarterback Andy Dalton in the latter's first start in last Sunday's win over Las Vegas, registering eight catches for 122 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Diontae Johnson's Standout Performance Against the Raiders Shows Offensive Promise Johnson worked well with Andy Dalton in the quarterback’s first start this season.

SEPTEMBER 25 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Diontae Johnson on his 122-yard day against the Raiders Watch the Panthers wideout speak to the media after the team's win in Las Vegas.

SEPTEMBER 23 • PANTHERS.COM

Erupts with Dalton as QB Johnson recorded eight catches on 14 targets for 122 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 36-22 win over the Raiders.

Impact Johnson had a combined 34 yards in his first two games as a Panther, a mark he managed to surpass on a 35-yard catch and run late in the first half. Primarily regarded as a possession receiver, Johnson hit for big plays of 23, 17 and 16 yards and also had his first touchdown of the season from five yards away midway through the second quarter. After being acquired by Carolina this offseason, Johnson should be the biggest beneficiary of a competent offense moving forward.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

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WR Diontae Johnson not worrying about trade rumors, would prefer to stay with the Panthers