Less than 24 hours after wide receiver Diontae Johnson said he expected to play in Sunday's game at Denver the Carolina Panthers ruled him out with a rib injury. Asked if the decision had anything to do with keeping Johnson healthy for trade value,

In addition to the Panthers’ top two wide receivers being on the shelf, Carolina quarterback Andy Dalton is listed as “doubtful.”

Some much-needed help could soon be on the way for the 1-6 Carolina Panthers. As announced on Wednesday afternoon, the team has designated two players to return to practice—wideout Adam Thielen and saftey Jordan Fuller. The veteran receiver has missed the last four games due to a hamstring injury.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will be without starting wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen when he returns to the lineup against the Denver Broncos.

Bryce Young will be minus two top targets when he gets back under center for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. On Friday, receivers Diontae Johnson (rib) and Adam Thielen (hamstring)

If the Panthers no longer need the services of Adam Thielen, here are four teams that could make a move for the two-time Pro Bowl WR:

The NFL trade deadline often leads to odd and vague answers to be given to relatively simple questions. When Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales was asked if limiting wide receiver Diontae Johnson was related to the trade deadline,

Quite a few receiver-needy contenders, as well as their respective fans, would probably love to take Diontae Johnson away from the Carolina Panthers. But what does Johnson himself think of the recent rumor and innuendo about a possible move?