CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With another blow on the injury front for the now-no-longer-winless Carolina Panthers, sources tell WCNC Charlotte's Nick Carboni the team is placing wide receiver Adam Thielen on Injured Reserve because of the hamstring injury he suffered during Sunday's game.
Thielen showed up big in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders, catching a 31-yard touchdown from recently named starting quarterback Andy Dalton. But that impressive diving catch in the end zone at the end of the first half was when he hurt himself. He did not return after exiting that game and finished with three catches for 40 yards.
The source said Thielen isn't expected to be on there the rest of the season, since Injured Reserve means he'll miss four games, so that's some good news for a team looking to gain momentum after getting its first win of the season.
Carolina (1-2), now 3-17 going back to last season, was outscored a combined 73-13 by the Saints and Chargers in the first two weeks. With the Panthers' receivers making their frustration with Young obvious, Canales said Dalton gave the team the best chance to win.
Dalton resembled the quarterback who earned the nickname “Red Rifle” in his prime more than a 36-year-old who last started in Week 3 of last season. He was sharp throughout, completing 26 of 37 passes and becoming the first NFL quarterback this season to post a 300-yard, three-TD performance. Dalton has thrown for 1,027 yards and 10 TDs in four career starts against the Raiders.
In the first half alone, Dalton threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns. His first three-TD performance in two years lifted a Panthers offense that had scored a single field goal in its previous two road games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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