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Is Diontae Johnson injured or healthy? Will Diontae Johnson be ready for training camp? Read the latest Diontae Johnson fantasy football injury updates and outlook.
This offseason, the rebuilding Carolina Panthers went out and greatly improved their receiving corps. The Panthers traded Donte Jackson (and a pick-swap) with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Diontae Johnson and drafted Xavier Leggette with the 32nd pick in the 2024 draft.
This brand new 1-2 punch is a vast improvement over last season, and quarterback Bryce Young should now have some serious weapons to work with. Johnson, however, who is expected to be the team's WR1 in 2024, has been dealing with a mild groin strain all week, and now his status for the near future is uncertain.
So, is Johnson injured or healthy? Will he return soon? What does his fantasy value look like in 2024? Let's find out!
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Editor's Update - 8/20
Johnson (ankle, foot) went down at training camp practice on Tuesday with an apparent ankle/foot injury and was seen walking with a limp. It comes just as Johnson returned to the practice field after missing less than a week with a minor groin injury.
It's not great news for the big offseason acquisition, but we'll have to wait for more word on the severity of Johnson's ankle/foot injury. When healthy, the 28-year-old former Pittsburgh Steeler has been one of second-year quarterback Bryce Young's favorite targets in training camp. The former third-rounder had his first 1,000-yard season in 2021 in Pittsburgh but has regressed since and even went without a touchdown in all of 2022. Carolina's offense figures to be better in 2024, and Johnson should be Young's top target when healthy, giving him WR3/flex value. Check back for more updates on Johnson's condition.
Diontae Johnson Injury Update for Fantasy Football
Since Wednesday, July 14, Johnson has been dealing with a minor groin strain, which caused him to miss practice the rest of the week and remain inactive during Saturday's preseason game vs. the New York Jets.
There is currently very little information out there about Johnson’s injury; however, minor groin strains are rarely serious and do not often lead to missing long periods of time.
INJURY REPORT: @Panthers WR Diontae Johnson is considered ‘day to day’ with a groin strain per Dave Canales pic.twitter.com/M6WTLqaTAv
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) August 14, 2024
Fantasy managers should pay close attention to more news regarding Johnson’s health, though, as he has tremendous upside as a WR 2/3 if he was to play a full season.
Diontae Johnson 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Assuming Johnson should be good to go for or around Week 1, he will figure to be the focal point of the Panthers' offense. He does not have much competition in terms of experienced wide receivers, and young quarterbacks (such as Young) often rely on their veterans to help them make plays early in their careers.
The 28-year-old receiver is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 14.1 yards per reception (Y/R). Johnson only had 87 targets last season, but that number will almost certainly go up and could look similar to the years 2020-22, where he averaged 153.3 per season.
With all that being said, the most important thing right now would be to wait for more updates regarding Johnson's injury status. If he is fine, then you should target him in the mid-late rounds of fantasy drafts. If his status remains uncertain, keep him on your radar and look out for him at the very end of drafts or the top of free-agent pools.
Bryce Young giving the people what they want to finish practice.
Finds Diontae Johnson deep downfield.
PHENOMENAL BALL PLACEMENT AND CONCENTRATION #Panthers pic.twitter.com/8hfV1gJ7eZ
— Unnecessary Bluntness Owner/Coach/QB (@DuncOnDemand) August 3, 2024
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