Panthers WR DJ Chark out, Adam Thielen questionable for season opener

Despite practicing in limited fashion on Friday, the Carolina Panthers have reportedly ruled out wide receiver DJ Chark for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. Chark, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, is one of two receivers the team could miss.

Wideout Adam Thielen was also a limited participant on Thursday and Friday due to an ankle injury. He is still considered questionable, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

#Panthers WR DJ Chark (hamstring) is out for Sunday's opener vs. Atlanta. WR Adam Thielen (ankle) is questionable.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 8, 2023

Chark suffered the hamstring injury during practice on Aug. 22. The initial prognosis was that the 26-year-old wideout might end up playing in Week 1.

Chark, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal with the Panthers this offseason, has hauled in 177 receptions for 2,544 yards and 18 touchdowns over the course of his career. He missed six games this past season with the Detroit Lions due to an ankle injury. He underwent surgery on his ankle this offseason.

Adam Thielen, still questionable, posted 70 receptions for 716 yards and six touchdowns last season for Minnesota.

Brian Burns practices for Panthers

After Brian Burns decided to practice on Wednesday, reporters quizzed head coach Frank Reich about whether the star defender would also play this Sunday. But Reich could only shrug.

“I don’t know,” Reich said. “I really don’t know. But I’m not approaching it that way. I’m approaching it, like I know 30 years tells me, anything’s possible. Literally, anything’s possible. So, we’ll just keep moving forward.”

He added: “To Brian’s credit, he has not made himself a distraction. . . He’s been in the building,” Reich said. “He’s in there lifting weights. (And) he’s been in meetings. He’s missed a couple practices. He’s been a complete pro.”

Perhaps Burns’ decision to practice means he is nearing a deal to return to play for Carolina. He also suited up for practice again on Thursday and Friday, though it’s unclear how many drills he participated in.

Late Thursday morning, Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said Burns “looked great” in Wednesday’s practice. But he’s taking the situation “day by day.”

Coincidentally, 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa agreed to a contract extension of five years for $170 million on Wednesday.

He’s set to make $16 million this season, which ranks him as the 12th-highest-paid edge rusher in the league.

Burns posted 12.5 sacks in 2022 and earned spots in the past two Pro Bowls. The Panthers could definitely use him Sunday against the Falcons who will be starting backup quarterback Josh Dobbs.

On3’s Suzanne Halliburton contributed to this report.