The Carolina Panthers are facing uncertainty regarding their offensive line ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu did not participate in Wednesday’s practice following an appendectomy last week, and his status for the game remains uncertain.
Head coach Dave Canales said the team plans to increase Ekwonu’s workload on Thursday and Friday before making a decision about his availability. “He’s got to have a great day on Friday, that’s the goal right now,” Canales said of Ekwonu. “We had him out there running, moving around a little bit today. Tomorrow he’ll do a little bit more and then the hope is Friday to get him into an individual period, see him getting in a stance, move around, hit some bags, and do some things to be able to make that decision.”
Canales did not specify who would start at left tackle if Ekwonu is unable to play. Both Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen have practiced at that position. The offensive line group consists of nine players who were with the team last season.
Quarterback Bryce Young commented on the depth of experience among the linemen: “Whoever it is out there, it’s a real luxury to have so many guys that have experience, have played snaps at different positions,” Young said. “Brady and Cade Mays, Yosh has played a ton of games in this league. You have a lot of guys that, it’s rare that you have such depth to where you have that full confidence, whoever it may be, so for me it’s definitely a luxury. I’m grateful for that, and it speaks to the culture of the room.”
Nijman has started 25 career games—including three last year at right tackle for Carolina—and has often been called upon as an injury replacement since his time with Green Bay. “I mean, just keep yourself ready to jump in,” Nijman said. “Just going into the game, you don’t know if somebody’s going to hurt their leg or something like that, so that being said, I just got to stay ready.
“I mean, I’ve been doing it for a little bit now, so I think the biggest part about it is making sure that you know I’m mentally, physically ready to play.”
Other positions on the offensive line are also unsettled due to injuries. Left guard Damien Lewis was limited in practice Wednesday because of an ongoing shoulder issue from joint practices with Cleveland earlier this preseason. Right guard Robert Hunt was also limited after experiencing discomfort in his foot during practice.
Canales provided an update on Hunt’s condition: “He went back in, had a couple plays, and we decided to shut him down for the rest of practice,” Canales said. “We’ll evaluate him this evening, this afternoon, and we’ll have more information for you.”
