Offensive line injuries complicate things
The Panthers’ offense suffered a blow early in the game when left tackle Ikem Ekwonu left the game with a knee injury and did not return, and right guard Robert Hunt left with a pectoral injury, though he returned to play the second half.
Ekwonu went down awkwardly on a play he was also called for holding on (the penalty was declined because of a sack), and he was helped to the blue medical tent. Moments later, he headed to the locker room.
Veteran backup Yosh Nijman, who started at both tackle spots this year, replaced Ekwonu.
Canales said the injury was a “significant” one, which will be an issue this offseason.
Hunt wasn’t able to finish the first half of his return game.
He went on IR after tearing a biceps tendon in Week 2. He was replaced by veteran Austin Corbett, who started at all three interior positions this season.
The Panthers offensive line has been and should be a strength of the team moving forward, and the offseason is long, but those injury questions will cloud things until we know more.
