Panthers' Adam Thielen: Expected to play in opener

Thielen (ankle) remains listed as questionable but is expected to play in Sunday's season opener in Atlanta, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.

Thielen logged limited workloads at practice to begin and close the week, with an absence in the middle due to an ankle injury. If he does indeed get the green light ahead of Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff, the veteran will be the clear No. 1 receiving option for Carolina, as fellow starting wideout DJ Chark (hamstring) has already been ruled out. Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall would presumably be next in the pecking order at receiver, while tight end Hayden Hurst could also take on a more pronounced role in the passing attack.