Ikem

Ekwonu

Ewkonu suffered a torn patellar tendon in the playoffs. He is expected to return “at some point” this year, though that does not rule out a lengthy absence for the veteran tackle. Fellow starting tackle Taylor Moton was placed on the reserve/NFI list because of a blood clot in his lung. He will also miss at least four weeks.

Tershawn Wharton is joining him on the PUP list. This was to be expected after Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in the playoffs. He isn’t expected to be ready for Week 1. Panthers coach Dave Canales could only say he expects Ekwonu to return “at some point” in 2026 when asked about him in June. With right tackle Taylor Moton also out for the start of the year, the Panthers will likely be forced to start free agent addition Rasheed Walker and first-round rookie Monroe Freeling early in the season.

Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoffs against the Rams, prompting the Panthers to sign Rasheed Walker to a one-year contract. Playing on his fifth-year option, Ekwonu will probably be an interesting free agent after the season. He’s graded out as a good run blocker in 2023 and 2024 per PFF’s rankings and could benefit from a switch to right tackle. With Taylor Moton and Walker in the fold, there’s no guarantee Ekwonu will start a game this year even when he is ready to play.

This is a great deal for the Panthers. Walker, a former seventh-round pick with the Packers, made just over $6 million on his rookie contract. This is a decent pay bump for him. Among NFL tackles with at least 490 left tackle snaps, Walker’s 69.3 PFF pass-blocking grade ranks 21st. The Panthers lost starter LT Ikem Ekwonu to a patellar tendon rupture during their Wild Card Round loss to the Rams last year. While Ekwonu is undoubtedly rehabbing the injury rigorously, he return date is still being determined. Panthers backup OT Yosh Nijman also retired earlier this week. Signing Walker gives them a reliable, if non-elite, starter in 2026.

Per Schefter, Ekwonu will undergo surgery and his availability for Week 1 of the 2026 season is in doubt. It’s a brutal end to the season for him and the Panthers. Now Carolina will likely have to spend a bit more on a backup tackle in the offseason. Pro Football Focus has Ekwonu graded as a top-40 tackle this year. He had just one year left on his contract and was likely eying an extension in the spring. Ekwonu might be forced to wait until next year to ink a new deal.

Josiah Stewart ran right over Ekwonu as his leg buckled. The fact that he was almost immediately ruled out likely foreshadows that he would have problems playing if the Panthers advanced. We can’t rule out a serious injury that requires surgery, either. Ekwonu played 950 regular-season snaps as Carolina’s starter at left tackle. Yosh Nijman took over at left tackle.

The Panthers get their left tackle back after a one-game absence. The Panthers (8-7) astonishingly hold the NFC South’s top spot. Getting Ekwonu back in time to face the Seahawks’ top-tier defense is good news for QB Bryce Young, who has one year remaining on his contract and will continue to be evaluated closely by the coaching staff.

Ekwonu got in a limited practice on Friday, but it was not enough to be ready for Week 16 against the Buccaneers. Yosh Nijman will start in his place at left tackle. Panthers also declared WR Hunter Renfrow, LB Trevin Wallace, S Demani Richardson, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, TE James Mitchell, and DT Tershawn Wharton inactive for Week 16 against the Buccaneers. Wallace (shoulder) and Wharton (hamstring) are out due to injury, while the others are healthy scratches.

Ekwonu missed Week 1 after undergoing an emergency procedure late in training camp. He was limited in practice throughout the past week and even got in one light session ahead of Week 1. He now appears to be good to go, which is good news for Bryce Young and the Panthers’ offense. Few teams looked worse than Carolina in Week 1 as they struggled to get anything going versus Jacksonville. With Ekwonu back in the fold, there are no excuses for Young in Week 2.

Ekwonu sat out in Week 1 after undergoing the emergency procedure late in August. Since returning to practice last Friday, Ekwonu has logged four straight limited sessions. If he is unable to play in Week 2 against the Cardinals, he seemingly has strong odds of suiting up in Week 3 against the Falcons.