Team news: Carolina Panthers | Page 46

Vikings WR Adam Thielen is "good" after leaving practice today. No cause for long-term concern with his left leg, according to a league source.

Krammer had tweeted that Thielen hobbled off the field after apparently hurting his leg in practice. He did walk off under his own power. Fortunately with Krammer's updated tweet, Thielen appears to be OK.

The Panthers are beginning to feel like they have hit on something big with fourth-round draft pick Ian Thomas.

The rookie tight end has carried over an outstanding performance in training camp to the preseason, where he showed an impressive burst of speed on a 27-yard catch-and-run touchdown reception from Cam Newton, and delivered a powerful seal block that helped spring Christian McCaffrey for a 71-yard touchdown in Friday night’s preseason win over the Miami Dolphins.

Related players: Greg Olsen

After not getting a ton of receptions at Indiana, Carolina’s scouts became convinced Thomas has what it takes to be a playmaker and general manager Marty Hurney was sold on him as he studied more film. Olsen is still the guy in Carolina but after missing time last year the Panthers acquired a young player at the position who looks like he could eventually make an impact.

The tight end of the future in Cincinnati may indeed be named Tyler. But maybe not the Tyler it was supposed to be.

Tyler Kroft could be the guy more likely to remain over the long haul. And he’s hoping that’s the case.

“There’s definitely momentum off of [2017],” Kroft told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I think I’ve done a good job learning and understanding the offense as much as I can. Just the confidence level is up there and I think there is confidence between me and Andy Dalton and the coaching staff because Bill [Lazor] is still here and he saw it. It’s exciting.”

Related players: Tyler Eifert

Eifert‘s short- and long-term health is still an unknown, the story said. With Eifert limited to two games in 2017, Kroft caught 42 passes for 404 yards and seven touchdowns. As tight ends go, that should be good enough to give him security.

Kirk Cousins‘ connection with his new receivers is a work in progress.

The Vikings quarterback invited Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs to Atlanta in April for a throwing session before organized team activities. They continued to get to know each other during the team’s offseason program.

“It’s a process of saying, ‘Hey, this is the way I’ve done if for six years. You’ve done it a different way for five years. Let’s try to talk about why you’ve had success, why I’ve had success. Let’s find some middle ground; let’s decide whether I’m going to learn your way, you’re going to learn my way,'” Cousins said, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

Cousins has no firm plans to work with his receivers off site before training camp, but feeling “a little behind the eight ball,” he will stay in his playbook, the story said.

Vikings announce Kyle Rudolph has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for Sunday's game vs. Cincinnati. He is attempting to recover from an ankle injury in time to play Sunday. He has not missed a game since 2014.

Related Players: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen

Ankle injuries are tough to play effectively with, but Rudolph has been a warrior over the past few years. Our rankings have been updated to account for the possibility of Rudolph playing, but playing through the injury is a factor. If he doesn't play, expect Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs to see an uptick in targets.