Adam Thielen injury update: Carolina Panthers activate WR from injured reserve

The Carolina Panthers (3-7) announced Tuesday they have activated receiver Adam Thielen off injured reserve.

Thielen, who has missed the last seven games after suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3, was at the end of his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve. If Carolina did not activate him Tuesday, he would have been required to miss the rest of the season. The Panthers waived tight end Jordan Matthews to make room for Thielen.

The 34-year-old was designated to return from practice on Oct. 23 and practiced for a week and a half. Thielen, however, hasn’t been on the field since the Thursday of Week 9. Thielen hauled in eight receptions for 109 yards and a score in the first three games of the season.

In year two of the three-year, $25 million deal he signed with the Panthers last offseason, Thielen led the team with 103 receptions for 1,014 yards in 2023. Thielen, along with David Moore, are the lone veterans in Carolina’s receiving core. They are supplemented by rookie wideouts Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker.

Panthers welcoming Adam Thielen back for second half of season

The Panthers, coming off a 20-17 overtime victory over the New York Giants (2-8) in Munich, Germany, are on bye this week before hosting the Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) in Week 12. Bryce Young, reinserted under center after being benched following the first two games, has guided Carolina to back-to-back victories.

Head coach Dave Canales said that Young “made a great statement for himself” in the win over the Giants.

“I’m just so proud of Bryce,” Canales said after the game. “I’m so proud of taking the next step again. I thought he had a great day. Thought it could have been a fantastic day. I thought a few balls got away from us. A couple of times that would have really turned it into a really an exceptional day, but he handled the rush, he handled the different coverage looks and all that.”