NFL Rumors: Panthers' Adam Thielen Put on IR After Hamstring Injury vs. Raiders

The Carolina Panthers are riding high after their first win of the season on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, but they were knocked back down to earth with some bad news on Tuesday.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Panthers placed veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen on injured reserve due to the hamstring injury he suffered against the Raiders. Rapoport noted that Thielen "is expected back sooner rather than later."

Thielen recorded three catches for 40 yards and a touchdown in Carolina''s 36-22 win over Las Vegas. He suffered the injury on his 31-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Andy Dalton with 44 seconds remaining in the first half.

After spending the first 10 years of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, Thielen signed with the Panthers on a three-year, $25 million deal before the 2023 season. He led the team with 103 receptions and 1,014 yards last year while adding four touchdowns. Through the first three games of this season, he's racked up eight catches for 109 yards and a score.

Without Thielen in the lineup, 2024 No. 32 pick Xavier Legette will be counted on to produce more in the passing attack. The rookie has six catches for 77 yards this year. 2023 second-round pick Jonathan Mingo, who has six receptions for 59 yards, will also move up the depth chart in Thielen's absence.

Dalton was playing in his first game this year after replacing 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young as the starting quarterback, and the veteran delivered a 319-yard, three-touchdown performance to lead Carolina to its first victory of the year.

Losing Thielen is a slight hit to the Panthers offense, but Dalton should be able to manage without him and continue to right the ship when the team takes on the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.