The Carolina Panthers won their first game of the season in dominating fashion on Sunday afternoon, but it was not without cost. The team has multiple injury questions lingering as it prepares to host the Cincinnati Bengals.
Starting left guard Damien Lewis and wide receiver Adam Thielen both left Sunday's 36-22 win with injuries. Lewis left the game with an elbow injury. Thielen left with a hamstring injury which he sustained on a 31-yard touchdown catch.
The veteran receiver told ESPN's David Newton after the game that he would get an MRI on Monday.
What a throw by @andydalton14! What a catch by @athielen19!
📺: #CARvsLV on CBS/Paramount
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/9kJOeUA22e— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
Lewis, according to Pro Football Focus, has played 107 offensive snaps this season. He has not committed a penalty, nor has he allowed a sack since joining the Panthers on a four-year, $53 million deal over the offseason.
Thielen is a proven receiver who has eight catches for 109 yards and one touchdown this season. He topped 1,000 yards receiving last season while scoring four touchdowns.
If Thielen is unable to suit up for Week 4's game against the Bengals, other receivers will have to step up. Dionte Johnson will lead the way once again after catching eight passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Xavier Legette will also need to continue contributing after catching two passes for 42 yards last weekend.
The injury concerns continue with two defenders. Starting safety Jordan Fuller also sustained a hamstring injury after he contributed two tackle assists. Backup safety Lonnie Johnson exited the Week 3 game with a groin injury.
"Thielen had a hamstring on the touchdown catch, finished the play," head coach Dave Canales said during his post-game presser. "A beautiful play by those two — by Andy (Dalton) and Thielen and the protection. Always gotta talk about the O-line whenever you can push the ball down the field. So the protection was great there.
"Damien Lewis didn't finish the game. All these guys we're checking on — Jordan Fuller and Lonnie Johnson."
The extent of the injuries will become clearer as the week progresses and the Panthers continue to prepare for the Bengals. The losses on offense will be significant storylines to follow as veteran Andy Dalton remains the starting quarterback for the foreseeable future.
