DJ Chark suffered a hamstring injury Aug. 22, missing his first practice the following day. What’s the latest with the Carolina Panthers wideout, and should fantasy football managers be concerned?
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What Happened to DJ Chark?
The speedster sat out the Panthers’ final preseason game against the Lions as a result of the hammy injury. However, he was able to return to some individual indoor work Aug. 29.
Chark maintains his goal is to be ready to play in the Week 1 matchup against the Falcons. The latest reports indicate the team’s medical staff appears to be in agreement. The WR’s degree of participation in coming practices will naturally offer much more clarity on what direction he’s trending in for the regular-season opener.
What Are the Panthers’ Options If Chark Misses Time?
If Chark was ultimately unable to suit up against the Falcons, rookie second-round pick Jonathan Mingo could be asked to take on a starting role opposite Adam Thielen in his first career regular-season game.
Conversely, if head coach Frank Reich opts for a more experienced option, third-year pro Terrace Marshall could slide into Chark’s No. 2 role.
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Marshall put together new career highs in receptions (28) and receiving yards (490) in 2022, while also scoring his first NFL touchdown. However, he continues to manage a back injury that he suffered in an Aug. 14 practice and kept him out of Carolina’s final pair of preseason contests.
Beyond Mingo and Marshall, versatile veteran Laviska Shenault, who cleared concussion protocol Aug. 30, is yet another receiver who could take on a bigger role in a potential Chark absence.
What Does This Mean for Chark’s Fantasy Ranking?
Chark’s stature in PFN’s Consensus Rankings shouldn’t be subject to any appreciable downgrade due to the injury.
All signs point to the speedy offseason acquisition either being healthy enough to go in Week 1 or potentially missing only that game, absent a setback.