Are the Carolina Panthers holding out wide receiver Diontae Johnson for Diontae Johnson and the Carolina Panthers or for Diontae Johnson and another team? Well, from the perspective of his job, head coach Dave Canales says it’s the former.
Canales spoke with reporters on Friday, shortly after the team ruled out Johnson from their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. And with the league’s trade deadline now less than two weeks away, he was asked if the decision on his leading pass catcher is related to a possible deal.
“Those are all conversations that Dan [Morgan] and Brandt [Tilis] will handle,” he replied. “For me, it’s like, I wanna do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done. And the fact that he couldn’t get back on the field this week, I felt confident about the guys being able to step in there and do it.”
Asked if decision on holding Diontae Johnson out is related to the trade deadline, Dave Canales says that’s a conversation for Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis. pic.twitter.com/TmUbkjsCnq
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 25, 2024
Preserving Johnson, who is down due to a rib injury, would help preserve the chances of a potential trade with a receiver-needy contender. The former Pro Bowler is currently on the final year of his contract, so the 1-6 Panthers may be inclined to sell him off to the highest bidder.
In addition, his status for Week 8 is particularly interesting given his comments from yesterday—when he said he thought he’d be able to play through the injury.
The Panthers will also be without fellow veteran Adam Thielen, who is working his way back from a hamstring injury.
