The Carolina Panthers announced that veteran right tackle Taylor Moton will be sidelined due to a blood clot in his lung, diagnosed in late June. Medical staff have placed him on blood thinners, and he is responding positively to treatment. However, he will not be available for the team’s Week 1 matchup, though he is expected to see action at some point during the campaign. The exact timeline for his return remains uncertain.
Moton’s absence marks a significant departure from his recent track record. The 10-year veteran has been a cornerstone of the Panthers’ offense since 2018, when he began his streak as an every-week starter at right tackle. He did not miss a single game until his age-30 season, when he sat out three contests due to knee and elbow injuries, and subsequently missed one additional game last year. His status for this season now presents a considerable challenge for the team’s offensive line planning.
The Panthers selected Moton in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he has spent his entire professional career with the franchise. He appeared in all 16 games as a rookie and has been instrumental in anchoring the right side of the offensive line. The team had relied on his presence and consistency as they prepared for the upcoming season.
With Moton unavailable and starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu recovering from patellar tendon surgery performed in January, the Panthers face significant depth challenges along their offensive line. The team is likely to turn to first-round pick Monroe Freeling to fill one of the vacancies. Freeling, who made 17 career starts at Georgia and earned second-team All-SEC honors during his final college season, is viewed as a candidate to see early action. Free agent Rasheed Walker may also factor into the lineup decisions as the Panthers work to address the dual absences at both tackle positions.
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