The Carolina Panthers are dealing with another challenge to their offensive line depth following an injury to starting left guard Damien Lewis. Lewis exited a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns earlier in the week due to a shoulder strain and was not active for Friday’s preseason game against the Browns.
Head coach Dave Canales described Lewis’ condition as “week to week,” noting that his return will depend on regaining strength in his shoulder. “He’ll be week to week; just kind of as we evaluate his shoulder, but you know it’s something that he’s going to have to prove that he gets the strength back and all that stuff, so he’s in the return to play (protocol) for us,” Canales said.
When asked about Lewis’ availability for the regular season opener, which is about a month away, Canales expressed hope. “I hope not, but again, they gave us kind of a week-to-week deal on it,” he said. “I’ve known D-Lew for a long time, and he finds his way back on the field. So I’m confident that he’ll be able to do that.”
Lewis joined the Panthers last season from Seattle through free agency and played a role in improving the team’s offensive line performance. Alongside Robert Hunt, also signed as a free agent, Lewis contributed to reducing sacks allowed from 65 in 2023 to 36 last year and supported running back Chuba Hubbard’s efforts in establishing a stronger running game.
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu commented on Lewis’ absence: “I talked to him, his spirits are high. He’s disappointed, he definitely wants to be out there, battling with his brothers, but obviously, now that he’s in the recovery and you have to wait.”
Veteran right tackle Taylor Moton added: “I love D-Lew; I think he’s a tremendous player and we’ll be excited to have him back out there with us.”
The Panthers focused this offseason on keeping their starting lineup together by retaining all five starters and four main backups from last year’s squad. This level of continuity is unusual across NFL teams but has already been tested by injuries early in training camp.
Backup guard Chandler Zavala also sustained a knee injury during camp and is listed as week-to-week.
On Friday night against Cleveland, Ja’Tyre Carter started at left guard in place of Lewis. Carter spent last season on Carolina’s practice squad and learned he would start after Wednesday’s joint practice. He credited Lewis for providing support ahead of his first-team opportunity: “D-Lew made it better, you know what I’m saying,” Carter said. “He talked to me, he was like, you know, just go out there and do what you do, bro. And he just made it easier for me, but he gave me the confidence to go out there and hold it down for him.
“He was just like, man, just go out there and just put it on film. Bro, you’ve been doing it all camp. Just go out there and show him that you can do it on game day.”
Carter acknowledged being near quarterback Bryce Young during an early sack but emphasized fitting into an established unit: “It’s just being the new guy, just fitting in with them, playing physically just like them, and just playing off each other, five guys on the same page at the end of the day.
“It’s amazing man. Those guys they gave me the confidence. They said look man we got you I had their back they had my back.”
Ekwonu praised Carter’s readiness: “There’s just this next man up thing,” Ekwonu said. “I feel like JT obviously you appreciate that he’s really excited to step into that role and he’s going to grind each and every day to make sure that he’s the best player you can be right?
“I mean he’s a dawg Fun guy to be around great locker room fit obviously but at the end of the day when it comes to playing ball he knows what he’s doing He knows how to get the job done He’s going to dominate.”
