Panthers Playmaker Not Practicing Amidst Swirling Trade Buzz

Carolina Panthers will have second-year quarterback Bryce Young back starting under center for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. However, there’s a likely chance that Young won’t have one of his top playmakers available to him on the field.

On Thursday, Joe Person of The Athletic reported that veteran wide receiver Diontae Johnson did not practice for the second straight day. Johnson was listed on Wednesday’s injury report with a rib injury.

If Johnson misses this weekend’s game against the Broncos, Young will have to lean on rookie Xavier Legette and second-year receiver Jonathan Mingo in Carolina’s passing game. Legette is second in receiving yards (177), fourth in receptions (18), and second in receiving TDs (2).

As for Mingo, he’s fourth in receiving yards (121) and tied for fifth in receptions (12) with veteran running back Miles Sanders.

Johnson’s name has been mentioned consistently over the last few weeks in trade rumors, as he’s a pending free agent next season and the Panthers are one of the worst teams in the NFL. One team he was connected to was the Kansas City, but they fixed their need at WR, acquiring DeAndre Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans.

Last week, the veteran receiver was in the headlines for expressing his frustrations after Carolina’s humiliating 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders. 

Johnson had one reception (three targets) for 17 yards. This season, the 28-year-old wide receiver has recorded 30 receptions (58 targets) for 357 yards and three touchdowns. 

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