Panthers coach has intriguing comment on Diontae Johnson’s status

Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (5) during pregame warm ups against the Los Angeles Chargers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales offered an interesting comment on the future of injured wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

The Panthers ruled Johnson out for Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos due to a rib injury. Johnson’s name has come up in trade rumors, and with the Nov. 5 deadline looming, there are questions about whether the wide receiver might have already played his last game with the team.

Canales did not exactly push back on that notion Friday. When asked if the decision to hold Johnson out was related to the upcoming trade deadline, the coach more or less punted on the question to top front office executives Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis.

“Those are all conversations that Dan and Brandt will handle,” Canales said. “I want to do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done.”

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

Canales could have simply said Johnson is injured, but kicking the question upstairs is only going to fuel speculation that the Panthers are handling Johnson with extra caution because they are looking to deal him.

In the short term, the Panthers will be very shorthanded against the Broncos, as both Johnson and Adam Thielen will be out. That’s not great news for their starting quarterback this week.