Taylor

Moton

Moton returned in Week 6 from offseason blood clot treatment but will now miss the remainder of the 2027 season after fracturing his fibula in the Week 7 loss to the Buccaneers. The Carolina offensive line depth takes another hit as they look to salvage a sinking season. Expect rookie Monroe Freeling to enter the starting lineup at right tackle.

The good news is that offensive tackle Taylor Moton is active for the first time this year. He missed the first month of the season while recovering from treatment for a blood clot. He will start at right tackle in place of Freeling.

The rookie got in back-to-back limited sessions, but they must have indeed been quite limited for him to wind up with the rarely-used doubtful tag. It’s very unlikely he plays this weekend. Taylor Moton (blood clot) is questionable after three full practices and would seem to be the favorite to start at right tackle.

Moton is tentatively on track to make his return from injured reserve this week. Meanwhile, RT Monroe Freeling (knee) sat out on Wednesday. Panthers DT Tershawn Wharton (neck) is practicing in full, while EDGE Jaelan Phillips (hamstring) was limited.

Moton was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list entering camp after it was revealed that he was dealing with blood clots in his lungs. The 32-year-old tackle now has 21 days to be activated from IR or be ruled out for the season, but we would expect him to be activated in the coming weeks. Moton earned a PFF offensive grade of 80.5 last season and allowed just three sacks and 22 pressures. In addition to Moton, the Panthers also designated DL Tershawn Wharton (neck) for return.

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.

He’s joined by CB Jaycee Horn, who cut his foot while running and required stitches. Horn’s injury is expected to be a minor one. Moton, on the other hand, is expected to miss the start of the season and the “belief” is he’ll play in 2026. The Panthers later clarified that Moton is hopeful to return from clotting in his lung at “mid-season.” Rookie first-round tackle Monroe Freeling figures to step in for Moton early.

McMillan was a DNP on Wednesday but was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday and Friday. The rookie receiver is officially off the injury report and good to go for Sunday’s pivotal Week 16 matchup against the Bucs. McMillan profiles as a low-end WR2 after failing to top 43 yards for three straight weeks. The Panthers also listed OG Damien Lewis, CB Jaycee Horn, and OT Taylor Moton as good to go for Sunday’s game.

The Panthers didn’t open Zavala’s 21-day return window until this week, but the third-year guard was listed as a full participant in all three practices. Players who log a full week of practice tend to suit up come game day, so it’s possible this questionable designation is more cautious optimism than anything else. In addition to Zavala the Panthers also listed OG Damien Lewis (oblique), OT Taylor Moton (knee), S Nick Scott (groin), and LB Trevin Wallace (shoulder) as questionable for Week 9.

Moton left the Panthers’ Week 8 loss to the Bills with the knee issue and did not return. A DNP to start the week puts him on the wrong side of questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers. Yosh Nijman will take his spot in the lineup if he can’t suit up.