Carolina Panthers

According to team reporter Darin Gantt, QB Andy Dalton is expected to start for the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 as QB Bryce Young sits out with an ankle injury. (Source: Darin Gantt, panthers.com)

Fantasy Impact: At this point in Young's development, Dalton could arguably be a slight upgrade given his tenure in the league, but it shouldn't change much in fantasy land. The Panthers take on a vulnerable Seattle Seahawks defense but are the underdogs on the road. QB Jake Luton will likely act as the team's backup on Sunday.

According to team reporter Darin Gantt, QB Bryce Young did not practice Thursday with an ankle injury and is not expected to play in Week 3. (Source: Darin Gantt, panthers.com)

Fantasy Impact: Young is headed into a short week and, as the team's No. 1 pick, there's no reason to risk hurting him any more. QB Andy Dalton will start in his absence, as the 0-2 Carolina Panthers take on the Seattle Seahawks. This does not move the needle on any fantasy players.

Miles Sanders (pec) was officially limited at practice on Wednesday. (Source: Josh Person on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Sanders sustained some kind of a pec injury during Monday's loss that left him limited at practice on Wednesday. There's no reason to believe this is a serious issue, but his practice participation later in the week will tell us more. Chuba Hubbard is next up on the depth chart after the veteran, but it seems likely that Sanders will be available to play for Week 3.

Shaq Thompson has been diagnosed with a fractured fibula and is likely out for the rest of the season. (Source: Steve Reed on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Thompson went down with an injury during Monday's loss to the Saints, and it now has been diagnosed as a fractured fibula that is expected to sideline him for the remainder of the season. This is a devastating blow for Carolina’s already-thin defense. The veteran was a team captain and one of the cornerstones of this unit, so now they'll have to reach down the depth chart to try to find someone who can replace his production.

The Panthers' defense surrendered 20 points on 341 yards of offense while coming up with four sacks and an interception in Monday's loss to the Saints.

Fantasy Impact: The Panthers mostly held the Saints offense at bay Monday night, but it turned out to be not quite enough in the 20-17 loss. The Carolina pass rush has been particularly effective through the first two games of the season, coming up with four sacks in both Week 1 and Week 2. The Panthers will visit Seattle in Week 3.

Eddy Pineiro connected on all three of his field-goal tries in Monday's 20-17 loss to the Saints.

Fantasy Impact: Pineiro had an impressive effort Monday night, as he nailed a trio of field goals, including a long 54 yarder. The 28-year-old kicker is now 4 of 4 on field-goal attempts this season.

Hayden Hurst caught all three of his targets Monday night, totaling 20 yards in a 20-17 loss to the Saints.

Fantasy Impact: While he didn't find the end zone this week, his consistent hands and ability to make plays when called upon have been a bright spot in the Panthers' offense. His season stats now stand at 10 targets, eight receptions, and 61 receiving yards with one touchdown. Hurst's clutch catches in the fourth quarter, including a 9-yard gain that pushed the Panthers closer to the Saints' territory, highlight his value as a dependable option for quarterback B.Young. Looking ahead to Week 3, Hurst and the Panthers will face off against the Seattle Seahawks, where he'll look to continue his steady contributions.

Despite being targeted eight times in the Panthers' Week 2 clash against the Saints, Jonathan Mingo could only convert three of those into receptions, amassing a mere 26 yards.

Fantasy Impact: Mingo struggled to make a significant impact in the game, which saw the Panthers fall short by just three points. Mingo's longest gain of the day came late in the fourth quarter with a 22-yard reception, but it wasn't enough to turn the tide. With no touchdowns to his name this season, fantasy managers will be hoping for a more fruitful performance against the Seahawks next week. Despite the lackluster stats, Mingo's high target count suggests he's still a key part of the Panthers' passing game, offering a glimmer of hope for future matchups.

Adam Thielen was targeted nine times, hauling in seven of those for a total of 54 yards and his first touchdown of the season in Week 2.

Fantasy Impact: Thielen's consistent short gains kept the Panthers' offense moving Thursday. Currently ranked WR36 for the season, Thielen's performance this week should give fantasy managers some optimism. Looking ahead, the Panthers will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, where Thielen will look to build on this performance.

Chuba Hubbard managed to pick up 16 rushing yards on just two carries, while also hauling in all five of his targets for 34 receiving yards in Monday's loss.

Fantasy Impact: Although he didn't find the end zone, Hubbard's versatility was on full display, proving he can be a reliable option in both the running and passing game. His season stats now stand at 76 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards on 11 carries and 7 receptions respectively.

Raheem Blackshear is officially inactive for Carolina's Week 2 matchup against the Saints. (Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: With Blackshear inactive we can expect Miles Sanders to receive the majority of the Panthers workload, with Chuba Hubbard serving as the primary backup.

Panthers WR D.J. Chark is playing tonight vs. Saints, per source. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Chark missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury but is back in the fold for tonight's game. He gives rookie QB Bryce Young another weapon and should see snaps alongside Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo.

Jaycee Horn (hamstring) has been placed on Carolina's injured reserve. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Panthers have opted to place Horn on their injured reserve because of a hamstring injury that he's recovering from. The injury isn't expected to be season-ending, but he will have to miss the next four weeks at the very least. He was one of the bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming Panthers' secondary, so this is a tough blow for their defense as a whole.

Brian Burns and the Panthers are not expected to reach a deal before the season opener against the Falcons. (Source: Jeremy Fowler on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Even without getting a deal done, Burns is still expected to play against Atlanta. Burns is one of the league's best defensive ends, and he’s a sure start in IDP formats.

Terrace Marshall Jr. was a limited participant in practice Wednesday with a back injury ahead of the Panthers' Week 1 matchup against Atlanta. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Marshall has yet to produce at the NFL level after being drafted out of LSU, but with a new coaching staff and QB in 2023, the still young wideout get a fresh start. However, the slate is not totally clean, as the WR is dealing with a back injury. If he, or any of the other injured Panthers WRs, can't play Sunday, rookie Jonathan Mingo should see a lot of work immediately.

Panthers WR Laviska Shenault is progressing in his concussion protocol, per head coach Frank Reich. (Source: Steve Reed on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Shenault sat out the Panthers’ final preseason game and has yet to return to practice. The 24-year-old is competing for a spot on the Panthers’ roster and will likely be a depth receiver to start the regular season.

The Carolina Panthers have released CB Keith Taylor. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Taylor has spent the last two seasons with the Panthers, tallying 67 total tackles and six passes defensed in 34 games. The former fifth round pick will likely have a market as a depth corner.

The Carolina Panthers have cut DE Raequan Williams. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Williams was set to enter his first season with the Panthers after spending two seasons with the Eagles. The 26-year-old has appeared in seven games in his career and is likely headed for a spot on a team’s practice squad to open the season.

The Carolina Panthers have released OL Michael Jordan. (Source: Joe Person on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Jordan is a veteran of four seasons, including the last two with the Panthers. The team will move on from the 25-year-old guard, but he could have a market as a depth offensive lineman elsewhere.

The Panthers have waived kicker Matthew Wright as roster-cutting season begins, per Tom Pelissero on Twitter. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Wright began his career in Pittsburgh, where in 2020, he did not miss a kick in minimal action. Since then, Wright has bounced around a bit, never finding an actual starting role. Carolina is turning to Eddy Pineiro in 2023 as the team's starting kicker.