CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers will turn to a pair of young wide receivers to help fill the void of veteran Adam Thielen, who'll miss at least four weeks recovering from a right hamstring injury.
Coach Dave Canales hasn't determined if rookie Xavier Legette or second-year wideout Jonathan Mingo will start on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but said he expects both to see plenty of action along with David Moore. Canales said the loss of the 34-year-old Thielen leaves the Panthers with some big shoes to fill. “Adam plays so fast and he makes the right decisions," Canales said.
"As we go through the week we will see who can provide a spark to this pass game as we continue to develop.” The injury to Thielen comes just as the Panthers previously dysfunctional passing game roared to life with 36-year-old Andy Dalton at quarterback. Dalton replaced struggling 2023 No.
1 overall pick Bryce Young and responded with a huge game, completing 26 of 37 passes for 319 yards and three first-half touchdowns as Carolina (1-0) built a 33-7 lead and cruised to an easy victory on the road at Las Vegas. “Obviously we are going to miss Adam because he's a guy that is trustworthy and you know where he's going to be, and what he's going to do,” Dalton said. “But we have guys that we feel like can step right in and help us win games.
” Mingo and Legette have nearly identical stat lines this season, each with six receptions. Thielen was injured Sunday while making a di.