If Bryce Young wants to make a statement in the Mile High City this afternoon, he’ll have to do it without the help of a few key weapons.
The Carolina Panthers have ruled seven players as inactive for their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos, including wideout Diontae Johnson. Johnson will miss his first game of the campaign due to a rib injury.
With the Panthers at 1-6 and the trade deadline just a little over a week away, Johnson’s absence has raised some speculation about a possible deal. Head coach Dave Canales was asked on Friday if the decision to hold Johnson out relates to preserving a move of the one-time Pro Bowler.
“Those are all conversations that Dan [Morgan] and Brandt [Tilis] will handle,” Canales replied. “For me, it’s like, I wanna do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done. And the fact that he couldn’t get back on the field this week, I felt confident about the guys being able to step in there and do it.”
The Panthers will also be without last year’s leading receiving Adam Thielen, who is still on his way back from a hamstring strain. Thielen was designated to return to practice on Wednesday, but has yet to be activated to the main roster.
Here is the full list of inactives on the day for Carolina:
- CB Shemar Bartholomew
- RB Jonathon Brooks
- QB Andy Dalton
- CB Dane Jackson
- WR Diontae Johnson
- OT Yosh Nijman
- S Jammie Robinson
And for Denver:
- CB Kris Abrams-Draine
- TE Greg Dulcich
- S P.J. Locke
- OT Alex Palczewski
- OLB Dondrea Tillman
- DL Eyioma Uwazurike
- QB Zach Wilson
