Adam Thielen is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton has been performing well against the Raiders, but he’ll be without one of his key targets for the rest of the game.
Carolina announced that Thielen is out after suffering the injury late in the first half, following his 31-yard touchdown catch. After making the catch, Thielen grabbed the back of his leg in pain.
He ended the half with three receptions for 40 yards. The Panthers extended their lead to 24-7 early in the second half with a 43-yard field goal by Eddy Piñeiro.
Thielen’s absence is a significant blow to the Panthers’ offense, especially given his experience and chemistry with quarterback Andy Dalton. Thielen, who was signed by Carolina in the offseason, has been a reliable target throughout the early part of the season, making key plays to keep the offense moving. His leadership on the field and ability to get open in critical moments will be missed as the Panthers try to maintain their lead.
Andy Dalton has stepped up in Thielen’s absence, distributing the ball to other receivers and leaning more on the run game to keep the Raiders’ defense off balance. However, without Thielen’s veteran presence, the Panthers’ offense may need to adjust and rely more heavily on younger wideouts and tight ends. Dalton’s ability to find new targets and keep the momentum going will be crucial as the game progresses.
Adam Thielen
Defensively, the Panthers have done a solid job limiting the Raiders’ offensive production. With a comfortable lead, Carolina’s defense will likely focus on maintaining pressure and forcing the Raiders to make mistakes. However, the loss of Thielen could shift momentum if the Panthers’ offense struggles to find rhythm without one of its top playmakers. Carolina will need to stay sharp on both sides of the ball to close out the game.
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