Daryl Williams injury development shakes up the offensive line
The Carolina Panthers continue to have injury problems on the line.
As if the news about tight end Greg Olsen’s injury was not bad enough, the negative news continued to pour in on Tuesday. Offensive tackle Daryl Williams may need surgery per a press release from the team’s official website.
“Daryl injured his right knee when a Cowboys player fell into the side of his knee. After evaluation, it is team physician Dr. Pat Connor’s recommendation that Daryl undergoes surgery to repair the injury.”
He will be out indefinitely per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
This is not good news for the Carolina Panthers at all. Daryl Williams was a huge part of the offensive line, and his veteran leadership is certainly needed at the position. This is also a huge blow to him personally as he is set for a new contract at season’s end. Williams and the team were at odds over a new contract in the offseason. Now, that might make negotiations a bit easier for the team. However unfair it may be, they can now justify paying him a bit less because he is coming off of an injury.
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Even still, Williams is still worth holding on to. He is one year removed from being a Second-team All-Pro. If he does not come back this season, there is a chance he could come back even stronger next year. Although that does not help the team right at this moment, that is certainly a reason to look forward to next season.
In the meantime, this may open up an opportunity for newly-acquired Corey Robinson. The 6-foot-7, 310-pound Havelock, N.C. native has played sparingly in three seasons in the league. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Something tells me the Carolina Panthers acquired Robinson with the idea that the offensive line may continue to be a troublesome position down the road. Now, Robinson will be thrown into the fire. He certainly has the size to make an impact and the team will have to count on him throughout the course of the season to help stabilize the line.
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This is terrible news for the Carolina Panthers. Daryl Williams is part of the glue that helps keep the line together and now they will not have that anymore. It is important not to rush his recovery (which is truthfully something that they might have done here), and hope he is ready for next season.