Panthers Tackle Depth Challenge
Carolina Panthers Projected to Start Season with Two New Tackles Amid Key Injuries
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Key Points
1
Monroe Freeling logged 257 snaps at right tackle for Georgia and has been getting reps at right tackle in the Panthers' offseason program, signaling a plan to start him at right tackle with Moton out.
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Ikem Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in January during the wild-card loss to the Rams and is not expected back until the second half of the 2026 season.
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Rasheed Walker has been signed to a one-year deal to provide veteran depth at tackle as Moton recovers.
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Monroe Freeling was selected No. 18 overall in the 2026 draft and could start Week 1 at right tackle if Moton remains sidelined.
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If Moton remains on the reserve/non-football injury list, he could miss at least four regular-season games, with activation possible by roster cut if he recovers earlier.
Carolina Panthers star right tackle Taylor Moton will miss the start of the 2026 season after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung, according to Reuters. The team will place him on the non-football injury list when veterans report to camp, with a return expected later in the season.
Moton started 15 of 16 games last season and is one of Carolina's most important linemen, per 740 The Fan. His absence — combined with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu's torn patellar tendon — leaves the Panthers set to open 2026 with two brand-new starters protecting quarterback Bryce Young.
Blood Clot Forces Moton onto Non-Football Injury List
Moton is being treated for a pulmonary embolism — a blood clot in the lung — and is on blood thinners with daily medical check-ins, according to Radio USA. He must pass medical clearance before he can return to practice. The non-football injury list means he could miss at least four regular-season games before becoming eligible for activation.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn is also starting camp on the non-football injury list with a foot issue, per Y94. He is expected back soon. Still, the back-to-back placements add to a growing list of Carolina players managing health concerns heading into the new year.
Ekwonu Still Out, Panthers Facing a Thin Offensive Line
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is not expected back until the second half of 2026. He ruptured his patellar tendon in January during a wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. That injury alone was a major blow to the line. Now, with Moton also out, Carolina has no projected starter from last year at either tackle spot for Week 1.
The situation creates real concern about pass protection for Young. A shaky offensive line was a key problem for Carolina last season. Losing both starting tackles at the same time makes that problem much worse heading into training camp.
Rookie Freeling and Veteran Walker Step Into Starting Roles
The Panthers selected Monroe Freeling with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2026 draft to help fill the void. Freeling played 257 snaps at right tackle during his time at Georgia and has been taking first-team reps at that spot in the offseason program, per KAT Country 98.9. He is expected to start Week 1 if Moton remains sidelined.
On the left side, veteran Rasheed Walker was signed to a one-year deal to provide experienced depth. Walker gives the coaching staff a reliable option while they wait for Ekwonu and Moton to heal. The Panthers are banking on youth and veteran depth to hold the line together until their starters return.
What Moton's Return Timeline Means for Carolina's Season
There is no firm date for Moton's return. Medical clearance will drive the timeline. If he recovers quickly, the team could activate him around the time of roster cuts before the regular season. If not, he may not return until mid-season, leaving Freeling and Walker as the starting pair for an extended stretch.
The Panthers are in a delicate spot. Bryce Young needs time and clean pockets to develop. A makeshift offensive line adds pressure to an already high-stakes season. How quickly Moton and Ekwonu recover could go a long way toward shaping Carolina's 2026 campaign.
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