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Carolina Panthers: Offensive Line ‘showing out’ while starters are injured

By Giovanni Spillman

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 12: Fernando Velasco #75 of the Carolina Panthers looks to clear a path as Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs towards the end zone during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 12: Fernando Velasco #75 of the Carolina Panthers looks to clear a path as Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers runs towards the end zone during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on October 12, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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After a dominant rushing performance by the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, this makeshift offensive line is getting the job done!

Even before the first three regular season games of 2018, the Carolina Panthers were plagued with injuries along their offensive line. Starting tackles Daryl Williams and Matt Kalil are out for an extensive amount of time along with guard Trai Turner, who could possibly return soon. In their absence, the current offensive line group has been making a name for themselves but a Week 5 Turner return would be great for the team as they take on the New York Giants.

In the previous game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina put up a whopping 230 rushing yards. Who are we to thank for these huge numbers, and running back Christian McCaffrey‘s huge game? The offensive line. Outside of quarterback Cam Newton, the Panthers have not had much success with the run game lately but their most recent display appeared to be perfect. The Panthers have not had a 200-plus rushing game since Week 14 of the 2017 regular season against the Minnesota Vikings.

While the run game has started working, Carolina also did a great job protecting Newton in the pocket. In the past two games, Newton has only been sacked three times. That is a good number compared to almost anytime in the past. When Newton is getting protection from the offensive line, he is able to stay calm and avoid trigger happy interceptions.

Who is this Current Offensive Line?

Left Tackle– Chris Clark

  • Clark is a 54 game starter in the NFL, having played for five different teams; the Panthers being his fifth. At the end of the 2017 season, Clark was released by the Houston Texans and would later sign to Carolina following an injury to M. Kalil.

Left Guard– Greg Van Roten

  • Van Roten is a veteran of the NFL, starting his career with the Green Bay Packers before being placed on the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. He spent one-year with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League until he was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, before eventually ending up in Carolina.

Center– Ryan Kalil

  • The question on everyone’s mind is “how is he still healthy?” The answer is simple, being that this is Kalil’s final season, he is working hard at making this one, one of the best. Kalil has been with the team ever since he was drafted in 2007 and remains the lone starter that is uninjured along the offensive line.

Right Guard– Tyler Larsen / Trai Turner

  • Larson is an undrafted free agent that the Panthers signed in 2014. He has recently proven that he has potential with Carolina, earning himself an extension through the 2020 season. He has started 16 games with the team and only looks to be improving every season.
  • Turner on the other hand is a seasoned veteran with Carolina. Being a three-time Pro Bowl nominee, he has proven to be an elite run blocker. For the last two games he has been out with a concussion although Turner is expected to possibly come back in Week 5 following the Panthers bye.

Right Tackle– Taylor Moton

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  • It is unclear how long Williams will be out due to his knee injury, but it is clear that Moton is making the best of his playing time with the team. Moton was the team’s second-round pick in 2017 and has now started all three games with the team this season. He has shown a lot of potential from the tackle position this early in the year.

Final thoughts

With the current injuries to the Panthers offensive line, it is up to the current members to do their job and keep performing. While Carolina hosts New York (Giants) in Week 5, they should not overlook this team. I expect the offensive line to keep performing and big things in the coming games.

Next. CAR vs. CIN - Week 3 Grades. dark

Could we be up for another huge 150-plus yards rushing performance by McCaffrey when play resumes? Stay tuned to find out.

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