CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers will be without two of their top receivers this weekend against one of the league's best passing defenses. Receiver Diontae Johnson (ribs) is out, and receiver Adam Thielen was not elevated from injured reserve, remaining there for at least another week.

The Johnson decision comes at the end of a week in which he did not practice as he continues to heal the rib – or what Johnson called oblique – injury suffered in practice last Friday.

"We weren't able to practice him this week. So I just thought it was best to let that all calm down," head coach Dave Canales explained Friday's decision. "The hope is just continue to try to revisit this next week and try to get him back to full speed."

Thielen, on injured reserve since he suffered a hamstring injury in the Week 3 game, returned on Wednesday for his first day of practice. He was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday but could not go on Friday. Asked if Thielen was still a week away, Canales responded, "Yeah. We tried, but we didn't feel like we could get him back for this weekend.

"We'll get him a great weekend of prep here, a great weekend of rehab, and then revisit it next week, get him out there, and see if we can get him going."

The Panthers will turn to four receivers in their stead: Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Jonathan Mingo, and David Moore. Canales challenged the receivers, particularly the young ones, after a down performance in a loss to the Commanders last week. By week's end, the coach felt the group had responded.

"The guys that took the reps during the week, you know, we feel good about the execution and the way that the guys handled it, and so great opportunity for those guys," Canales said. "They had a fantastic week; they bounced back with intentionality with the focus that we asked for. They took the challenge. We all talked about it; we told the truth about what it was, and they responded the right way."

Even though Thielen isn't playing against the Broncos on Sunday, simply having him back on the practice field running routes and preparing throughout the day to do so (he has still been at practice, just in street clothes, while on IR) was a help for those young receivers as they responded.

"Yeah, he's been helpful the whole time," Canales said. "He's been engaged with what we're doing. He challenges guys the right way. He comes to work with the plan, and even in his return to play plan, he's been really professional about that part.

"And then to get him back on the field, having him running around, to be able to see the prep that it takes to have a great practice; a lot goes into those things, you know, where you didn't just walk out onto the field. It starts in the morning, and all your body prep, your mental prep, and all that to have great practice. So, it was fantastic just to have him out there again."

Dalton's status still undecided

Following Andy Dalton's car wreck on Tuesday and subsequent sprained thumb, the Panthers named Bryce Young the starter for Week 8. However, Canales was hopeful Dalton would be able to grip the football by the end of the week and active for the game as the backup.

He is officially doubtful and has not practiced all week, but Canales isn't ruling out the possibility of playing just yet.

"We got one more day to kind of check it out," Canales said Friday post-practice, indicating the club would see how Dalton felt during Saturday's walk-through. If he can't go, then practice squad quarterback Jack Plummer will be the No. 2 in Denver.

"We'll give it a shot; we'll look at it. If I had to lean one way or another, I would say Jack's ready to go, and Andy's kind of a long shot, but we'll take him if he said he could do it," Canales shared.

"We definitely prepped Jack all week to be ready for that. He took some reps in practice; he's been part of our conversations and prep this whole time, so he's ready to go."

Dalton will still make the trip to Denver, giving the Panthers extra time to decide.

Positive steps towards Clowney's return

The Panthers could get one of their bigger defensive pieces back this week. Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney was able to practice all three days, an encouraging sign if he is to play this weekend. The veteran pass-rusher has been out since leaving just before halftime of Week 5 with a shoulder injury.

"He looked great," Canales said of the Pro Bowler's week of practice. "He looked great, so really excited about Clowney."

Clowney has 16 quarterback pressures through four and a half games, with a sack, 12 tackles, and nine stops.