George Li Game Management Coordinator | Carolina Panthers Website
George Li Game Management Coordinator | Carolina Panthers Website
The Panthers' first win of the season came with a cost. The team placed veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen on injured reserve Tuesday as part of a series of moves.
Thielen suffered a hamstring injury while catching his 31-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. He changed into street clothes at halftime and did not return. The 34-year-old Thielen had eight catches for 109 yards and a score this season. Last year, he was the most productive offensive player on the roster, with 103 catches for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns during his debut season after ten years with the Vikings.
The team also placed safety Jordan Fuller on injured reserve Tuesday. By rule, he and Thielen will be out for at least the next four weeks. Fuller has started all three games at safety after joining from the Rams this offseason. They have a solid replacement in Nick Scott, as defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said this offseason he felt like he had three starting-caliber safeties along with Xavier Woods.
Additionally, the team waived tight end Messiah Swinson. He was signed off the Green Bay practice squad before Week 1 but did not appear in a game here.
To fill those three roster spots, the team signed three players from the practice squad — wide receiver Jalen Coker and safeties Demani Richardson and Russ Yeast. Coker and Richardson were undrafted rookies who were here all offseason, while Yeast has experience with this staff from his time with the Rams. He has played in 33 games, with 11 starts.
The team also signed safety Alex Cook and cornerback Justin Hardee to the practice squad and released practice squad outside linebacker Eku Leota from the practice squad.