AROUND THE NFL

Panthers’ Thielen to miss four weeks with hamstring injury

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers will be without wide receiver Adam Thielen for at least four weeks after the veteran was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a hamstring injury.

Thielen was injured while extending to make a diving touchdown catch near the end of the second quarter of Carolina’s 3622 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. The 34-year-old did not return in the second half.

Jonathan Mingo, a second-round pick in 2023, or rookie first-round pick Xavier Legette will likely replace Thielen in the starting lineup on Sunday when the Panthers host the Cincinnati Bengals.

Thielen had eight catches for 109 yards in three games.

Darnold’s resurgence

Six years after the Jets thought Sam Darnold would be their franchise QB, he’s playing like one for the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold has been impressive in his first season with coach Kevin O’Connell. He has 657 yards passing, eight touchdowns, two picks and a 117.3 passer rating in three games.

Darnold showed signs of progress late in the 2022 season in Carolina and spent last year backing up Brock Purdy in San Francisco. He signed a one-year, $10 million deal to be a placeholder in Minnesota but rookie J.J. McCarthy sustained a season ending knee injury and Darnold has thrived. If he keeps playing at this level, Darnold will make a ton of money in free agency.

Trevor’s regression

Trevor Lawrence has regressed after the Jaguars gave him a $275 million contract. It’s not entirely his fault. He’s not getting enough help from his offensive line, receivers and coaches.

Still, a $55 million QB is paid to make plays and sometimes has to do it on his own. There was an opportunity for Lawrence to connect for a long gain with Jacksonville trailing Buffalo 20-3 in the second quarter on Monday night. He had an open receiver, a clean pocket and time to throw but sailed a pass that landed in Damar Hamlin’s arms for an easy interception.

That’s on Lawrence, not coaching, blocking, scheme, or routes. It happens. Quarterbacks make poor throws but the Jaguars needed better from him in that moment.

Dallas doomed ‘D’

The Cowboys (1-2) can’t stop the run and they can’t run the football. That spells dooms for most teams in the NFL. After an impressive opener for Mike Zimmer’s defense in Cleveland, the Cowboys have been throttled at home by New Orleans and Baltimore. They’ve allowed 464 yards rushing in the two games and 10 touchdowns on the first 12 drives.