OCTOBER 12: Canales announced that the Panthers will open the practice windows for Moton and Wharton (via Person).
OCTOBER 9: The Panthers have managed a 2-2 record despite a spate of early-season injuries. Carolina entered its bye week at .500 even with the losses of Jaycee Horn, Taylor Moton, Ikem Ekwonu, Michael Jackson, Jonathon Brooks, Nic Scourton and Tershawn Wharton. Left guard Damien Lewis also missed Week 4.
Bryce Young could soon have more help. Moton and running back Trevor Etienne (per Dave Canales) are moving toward returning from the reserve/NFI list and IR, respectively. Additionally, Wharton — stashed on the reserve/PUP list — is close to making his season debut.
Canales called Moton and Wharton “physically ready,” via The Athletic’s Joe Person, though both linemen are still awaiting full clearance. Moton has been out since the start of training camp with a blood clot issue. Wharton underwent neck surgery this offseason. The Panthers’ longtime right tackle starter, Moton is tied to a two-year, $44MM extension that runs through 2027. The Panthers gave Wharton a three-year, $45.1MM deal as a free agent in 2025.
After four years of the Ekwonu-Moton tandem operating at tackle in Charlotte, first-round rookie Monroe Freeling has started every Carolina game at right tackle this season. The Panthers initially had the Georgia product working as a swing backup — behind Moton and stopgap LT starter Rasheed Walker — but needed to promote him following the summer Moton news. The team will have a decision to make when Moton returns.
Although Young has played well and Chuba Hubbard is coming off a quality Week 4 outing, the Panthers rank nearly the bottom in pass and run block win rate (28th, 27th). Moton, 32, said early this offseason he was not considering retirement. Moton (128 starts) has been the Panthers’ first-string RT since 2018, signing two extensions. The guarantees on his third contract will be paid out after this season, but the Panthers have major post-2026 questions at tackle; in addition to Moton and Ekwonu’s health, both Ekwonu and Walker are 2027 free agents-to-be.
The Panthers designated Etienne for return from IR in August, pointing to an early-season activation. His practice window will open ahead of Week 6. The second-year back should have a smoother path to playing time this season, with Brooks out and Rico Dowdle now in Pittsburgh. Etienne logged 20 carries for 94 yards as a rookie.
This content was brought to you by: Pro Football Rumors
