John

Miller

Miller started the first 10 games for the Panthers before landing on IR last October. The 29-year-old former Bills third-rounder has struggled with injuries the last few seasons but has started every game of his career when healthy. Miller would give the 49ers an upgrade over projected LG Aaron Banks or rookie Spencer Burford.

Carolina will also be without starting RG John Miller (ankle). With both of their starters sidelined, the Panthers will turn to Dennis Daley and Brady Christensen against the Falcons. It is not a great development as Carolina looks to #Establish under their new offensive coordinator.

Miller suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s game against the Giants, forcing Carolina to start their sixth different combination of o-linemen in eight games this year. Options to replace him include Brady Christensen, Trent Scott, or Dennis Daley.

Miller missed Week 1 while on the COVID list, but Carolina’s starting right guard is now expected to practice Wednesday. Given how Aaron Rodgers looked against the Saints defense in Week 1, the Panthers will likely need all the help they can get in putting up points on Sunday. Miller’s return should help keep Sam Darnold upright.

Miller has been ruled out for 10 days, which makes his vaccination status blatantly clear. Dennis Daley will instead get the nod at right guard with Deonte Brown next in line. The former logged just 56 snaps at that position (and 135 total) for Carolina last year, permitting five pressures in that stint.

Miller, 27, will return for his second season in Carolina. He played the most snaps among Panthers guards in 2020, allowing three sacks in 14 games. Miller will return to a Carolina offensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s 18th best pass blocking unit in 2020.

Daley was playing left tackle before sliding to right guard last week because of John Miller’s (knee, ankle) absence. Miller is questionable with that same injury after three straight limited sessions, and LT Russell Okung (calf) is in the same boat. The Panthers could be down three starting linemen if Miller and Okung are unable to go. The Teddy Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey injuries aren’t the only ones worth monitoring in Carolina.

Miller was just released by the Bengals earlier in the day Wednesday. The 26-year-old started all 13 games he appeared in last season and has made 60 starts across five seasons. Miller is merely a replacement-level guard, but he could be an option to replace since-traded RG Trai Turner in Carolina.

The Bengals will incur around $2.7 million in dead money, but will also save roughly $2.6 million against the cap. Miller has started 60 games since entering the league in 2015, most-recently racking up 13 starts for the Bengals in 2019. The five-year veteran will turn 27 in August. Miller was PFF’s No. 58 highest-graded guard among 86 qualified players last season.

Miller went down after 39 snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. Billy Price entered the game after Miller went down. In the first season of a three-year free agent contract, Miller has been a liability.