The 1-4 Carolina Panthers host their division rivals, the 3-2 Atlanta Falcons, at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday afternoon for their second divisional matchup of the 2024 season. After losing their past two games, the Panthers hope to add to the win column in Andy Dalton’s fourth start of the season. The Panthers are six-point underdogs for this game, with an over/under of 47.
The Carolina Panthers leading receiver has been nursing a lower-leg injury for the past few weeks
Diontae Johnson popped up on the injury report the week of their last game, with an ankle injury. Despite battling an ankle injury, Johnston played 48 (80%) offensive snaps last week and had three receptions on six targets for 23 yards. He has 23 receptions on 45 targets for 262 yards and two touchdowns on the season. He leads the team in receptions, targets, yards, and touchdowns.
The team expects him to play
Diontae Johnson participated in Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday’s practice as a limited participant. The Carolina Panthers had Johnson listed as questionable for this week’s game. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Panthers expect to have their leading receiver for their Week 6 matchup against their division rivals, a massive boost for the injury-depleted receiving corps.
#Panthers WR Diontae Johnson, listed as questionable with an ankle injury, should be good to go today, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2024
Their receiving corps is banged up
The Panthers receiving corps hasn’t been able to stay healthy recently. Their leading receiver from last season, Adam Thielen, is on injured reserve because of a severe hamstring injury and will miss his third consecutive game. Rookie Xavier Legette exited last Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury but was a full participant this week.
He will play.