Jeff

Otah

The injury occurred in the third quarter. It was initially speculated that Otah was having more knee problems, but the concussion sidelined him and he’s being called questionable for Week 2. The Panthers are very thin behind him.

The Panthers got a scare when Otah’s back tightened up on him following Friday’s practice. But he’s ready to go and his presence is a major plus for Cam Newton. The Panthers inactives: CB Chris Gamble (concussion), QB Jimmy Clausen, TE/FB Richie Brockel, LB Jason Phillips, DT Andre Neblett, OT Lee Ziemba and DT Frank Kearse.

“Jeff has been working extremely hard,” Metz said. The lower-back injury from early last season isn’t a concern as much as the chronic knee problems that have limited Otah to just four games over the past two seasons. It’s good news for Carolina that he’s back to full health so early in the offseason, but he remains a red-flag injury risk.

The Charlotte Observer confirms Otah had a setback with his knee in training camp. “He’s not currently ready to play today, but he will be there in the future,” said the agent. “One thousand percent” committed to playing this season, Otah plans to travel to Ohio to work out in LeCharles Bentley’s O-Line Academy before attempting to sign with another NFL team. It’s a positive sign for a player whose effort was often questioned in Carolina.

Otah will be shipped back out of town, either waived or traded if Carolina finds a taker. “We tried to make a deal. Unfortunately, they didn’t want it,” coach Ron Rivera said. “So now we’re back with Jeff. We’ll see him tomorrow. (GM) Marty (Hurney) and I will sit down and we’ll visit and we’ll go from there.”

Although Otah couldn’t pass a physical in New York or Carolina, he won’t receive an injury settlement because his knee and back ailments are considered existing injuries. A dominant run-blocker early in his career, Otah’s play had fallen off and his passion for football questioned while missing 31 of the past 35 games. If he goes on to pass a physical and show an increased commitment level, the 26-year-old has the potential to help a team later in the season.

Otah worked with the second-team offense. Coach Ron Rivera is adamant that Otah will have to earn his spot after missing all but four games over the past two years. Bell, the incumbent starting right tackle, is a subpar talent and 2011 rookie free agent. He was the weak link of Carolina’s front five last season.

Otah is presumably still not fully healed from last year’s knee injury, and he also has a bad history when it comes to his back. It’s fair to wonder if he might be damaged goods. Otah will be eligible to practice when/if he gets healthy.

Otah was placed on active/PUP Wednesday after failing his initial physical. Per PFT’s Darin Gantt, the Jets-Panthers trade was contingent on Otah passing a physical “in the next seven days, or else he goes back to Carolina.” The Jets would then get back their conditional seventh-round pick. If Otah was returned to Carolina, GM Marty Hurney would likely look either to trade him again, or cut him.

If Otah is truly motivated to turn his career around at age 26, he certainly could help a team as a starting right tackle. He could probably even start at left tackle for some clubs. Otah is at Bentley’s “O-Line Academy” in Cleveland, trying to rebuild himself. “I believe he’s definitely going to be ready this season,” Bentley said of Otah. “At what point in the season, I’m not sure.”