Panthers' Funchess sidelined with hamstring injury, won't play Saturday vs. Dolphins

Carolina Panthers rookie wideout Devin Funchess is sitting out Thursday's practice with a pulled hamstring, according to Steve Reed of The Associated Press.

Funchess' missed practice comes just one day after Kelvin Benjamin had his season brought to an early end when he suffered a torn ACL, adding to the Panthers' concerns at receiver.

The hamstring issue will keep Funchess out of the Panthers' second preseason game Saturday against the Miami Dolphins, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.

It's unclear whether Funchess will be required to miss an extended period of practice time in the weeks to come, but getting meaningful practice reps will be all the more necessary with Benjamin's season-long absence.

The Michigan product, selected by the Panthers in the second round of this year's draft, has the opportunity to emerge as one of Cam Newton's top targets in the passing game if he can get healthy.