Thielen ($4,700) has been sidelined since Week 3 with a hamstring injury, but the receiver got a limited practice in Wednesday and has a chance to return this Sunday vs. the Chiefs.
Thielen has struggled to make an impact when available this season, averaging a mediocre 8.3 FPTS in three games, but Dionate Johnson was a member of the Panthers for all these contests. The wideout led Carolina with a 28.3% target share before being traded to the Ravens late last month, and with Johnson now missing from the picture, Thielen should naturally see more targets. With Johnson with the Steelers last season, Thielen was the clear No.1 receiver in Carolina. The veteran handled a team-high 25.6% target share and scored 14.1 FPTS per game.
Yes, Xavier Legette ($5,000) wasn’t with the Panthers during this campaign and he is now a full-time player with Carolina, but Legette is a weak target earner compared to Johnson, with the rookie handling a 16.3% target this season.
Thielen should lead the Panthers in target share for the rest of the season and the veteran could be very active this Sunday vs. the Chiefs if he sees no limitations, with Carolina as an 11-point underdog for this contest on the DraftKings Sportsbook. The Panthers should be forced into a pass heavy game plan in this situation and while Thielen by no means is a “must-play”, the receiver is viable WR3/FLEX play for season long leagues and a decent DFS value play if he returns this weekend.
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