Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Vikings are releasing WR Adam Thielen. It's been a long-rumored, contract-related move. The 32-year-old (until August) has seen his target share decline for two straight seasons. Thielen also tallied a career-low 10.2 yards per catch last season and posted his second smallest averages in both receptions and yards per game since becoming a starter in 2016. We'd still bet on Thielen finding opportunity somewhere else, but it's tough to know how big a role to expect until he lands. You can take some shots on Thielen at his already depressed ADP in current best ball drafts. But don't target him too heavily or expect a huge payoff. Thielen's departure leaves opportunity for WR K.J. Osborn and TE T.J. Hockenson. Don't be surprised, though, if Minnesota adds a wide receiver early in the NFL Draft.

QB Bryce Young weighed in at 5’10, 204 pounds at the NFL Combine. Alabama listed him at 6’0, 194 pounds, so the results are a mixed bag. “I’ve been this size, respectfully, my whole life,” Young said at the Combine. “I know who I am. I know what I can do.” He opted to not take part in throwing drills. But the tape shows Young as the most polished QB prospect in this class. Despite a slim frame, it’d be a surprise if he drops out of the top-5 on draft night. See where he slots in our QB dynasty rankings.

The Panthers are hiring Ejiro Evero as DC, according to multiple reports. In his 1st year as Broncos DC, Evero earned widespread praise. He piloted a unit that ranked 7th in yards allowed, 14th in points allowed and 10th in Football Outsiders' DVOA. Denver likely would have ranked even better but traded EDGE Bradley Chubb during the season and lost S Justin Simmons to injury for 5 games (among other injuries). Evero -- who has been on NFL staffs since 2007, except for 1 year spent at the D-III level -- impressed enough to draw head-coaching interviews this offseason. He'll take over a Panthers defense with some talented pieces. Chief among those are EDGE Brian Burns, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Jaycee Horn and DT Derrick Brown. Don't be surprised if the Carolina defense becomes more of a fantasy football factor in 2023.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders tallied 11 carries for 42 yards and 2 TDs in Sunday's NFC Championship win vs. the 49ers. Teammate Kenneth Gainwell led the team with 48 rushing yards. Sanders, QB Jalen Hurts, and RB Boston Scott combined for 4 rushing TDs in a game against a 49ers' defense that ranked as the single-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to RBs. Eagles OC Shane Steichen and company deserve a great deal of credit for this momentous victory. The Eagles will now be preparing to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) practiced fully on Friday and doesn't carry an injury tag ahead of Week 18 vs. the Giants. The soon-to-be free agent has struggled significantly over the last 3 weeks, but this upcoming matchup presents a good "get right" opportunity. Though the Giants' defense ranks 3rd-best in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA over the last 4 weeks, Sanders torched them for 144 yards and 2 TDs in Week 14. Consider Sanders a low-end RB1 in Week 18.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip) practiced fully on Friday and doesn't appear on the final injury report ahead of Week 18 vs. the Browns. Though the veteran has scored nary a TD this season, Johnson's team-high 26.2% target share (8.5 targets per game) makes him a quality WR3/flex option on volume alone. This should serve as a good counterbalance to the Browns' defense ranking as the 6th-toughest matchup in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) practiced in a limited capacity again on Thursday. We'll see if the veteran is able to log a full practice tomorrow. Stay tuned for news regarding Sanders' status for Week 18 vs. the Giants.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip) practiced fully on Thursday. The veteran wideout was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's estimation, so this is great news for his availability for Week 18 vs. the Browns. We'll keep an eye out in case something changes on tomorrow's report.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) was a limited practice participant on Wednesday. With Week 18's game vs. the Giants still several days away, there's plenty of time for Sanders to ramp up activity. We'll track his practice status in anticipation of Sunday's contest.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. There's still plenty of time between now and Sunday's Week 18 game vs. the Browns for the veteran to ramp up activity. We'll know more about whether or not he's at risk of missing action as the week unfolds. Check back for updates in the coming days

Saints QB Andy Dalton finished with 18 completions on 22 attempts for 204 yards and 1 INT in Week 17's win vs. the Eagles. QB/TE hybrid Taysom Hill had his fair share of production as well, completing both of his pass attempts for 24 yards in addition to 46 rushing yards and a TD on the ground. The tandem approach has worked relatively well for the Saints all season, but it's far from an ideal circumstance for an NFL offense to rely upon. The pair will prepare to take on the Panthers in Week 18.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders totaled 12 carries for 61 yards in Sunday's loss vs. the Saints. Week 17 marks the 3rd game in a row in which Sanders failed to surpass 70 yards on the ground. To make matters worse, he's now tallied 2 catches for -7 yards as a receiver in this unfortunate stretch. Sanders had been the RB10 overall in PPR prior to Week 15 and certainly leaves a sour taste in the mouths of fantasy managers who trusted him in the fantasy championship round. Week 18 will present the upcoming free agent an opportunity to get right against a Giants run defense that presents a fairly neutral matchup.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (toe) practiced fully again on Friday. It's expected he'll be ready to go for Sunday night vs. the Ravens in Week 17. Consider Johnson a WR3/flex option this week. He's been frustrating all season and has yet to find the end zone, but the target volume will assuredly be there for Johnson. His 130 targets rank 7th among all WRs in 2022.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) finished the practice week with full participation on Friday. As a result, he doesn't carry an injury designation ahead of Week 17 vs. the Saints. Sanders has disappointed the last 2 weeks with a combined 12.0 PPR points since Week 15. However, the former Penn State product had been the RB10 overall in PPR prior to that. We feel Sanders is much closer to that player this week and should be thought of as a low-end RB1 candidate with plenty of volume opportunity.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (toe) upgraded to full practice participation on Thursday. He's trending in the right direction to play in Sunday night's Week 17 showdown vs. the Ravens. We'll let you know about his status on the final injury report tomorrow.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) logged limited participation at practice on Thursday after being listed as DNP the day before. Signs are pointing toward Sanders being available in Week 17 vs. the Saints, but we won't know anything definitive until tomorrow regarding his status. Be sure to check back tomorrow when we get more clarity.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (toe) logged limited practice on Wednesday. The veteran wideout played through this injury last week. We'll see if it prevents him from suiting up on Sunday night vs. the Ravens in Week 17. Come back tomorrow for an update.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. We'll see how he progresses this week ahead of Week 17 vs. the Saints. Be sure to check back tomorrow for additional information.

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn broke his left wrist in Saturday's win over the Lions. Interim HC Steve Wilks announced Monday that Horn will have surgery Tuesday and that doctors would determine his status after that. We'd bet on Horn missing at least Week 17, which makes him cuttable in IDP fantasy football leagues.

Eagles RB Miles Sanders racked up 21 carries in Saturday's loss to the Cowboys. But he managed only 65 yards and lost a crucial fumble late. Sanders tied his 2nd most carries for the season, ceding only 4 RB attempts to Kenneth Gainwell (for 17 yards). Sanders added just 1 catch for 6 yards. He'll face a better RB-scoring matchup with the Saints in Week 17.