The Carolina Panthers are dealing with some significant injury issues. And now, they will be without prolific left guard Damien Lewis for the foreseeable future.
Just one day after news broke that two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn suffered a torn quad, NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo confirmed that Lewis will miss the next few weeks after suffering a UCL injury in his elbow.
Another hammer blow for a team getting more than its fair share of bad luck on the health front.
Carolina Panthers losing Damien Lewis to injury is a crushing blow
Head coach Dave Canales acknowledged during his latest media availability that Lewis was dealing with something in his elbow. Further tests have confirmed what it is, and a potential stint on short-term injured reserve is now in his immediate future.
And with that, the Panthers' only offensive lineman meeting expectations this season goes onto the shelf.
Carolina's protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young has not performed well this season. They were completely outmatched against the Cleveland Browns, which brought the problem to the forefront after it had been overlooked.
The absence of Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton — the team's starting offensive tackle tandem last season — is being felt. Monroe Freeling is showing expected rookie jitters, and Rasheed Walker has been inconsistent so far. Center Luke Fortner hasn't met his billing, and even Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt has begun the season poorly.
This is a problem.
Lewis was their one shining light amid the doom and gloom. His 85.9 grade from Pro Football Focus ranks third among 73 qualifying guards. He's given up no sacks, conceded no penalties, and only allowed one quarterback pressure through three weeks.
Damien Lewis injury will be sorely felt by the Carolina Panthers, but it's next man up
And now, the Panthers won't have him on the field.
This is a disaster. One of many Canales is currently dealing with.
The Panthers re-signed Saahdiq Charles to their practice squad, who was actually putting together a decent summer before suffering another calf injury. If he's healthy, the LSU product could be a stopgap, though Corey Bullock is probably the frontrunner to fill the void immediately.
Either way, it's a downgrade. And the Panthers are now down three linemen — Lewis, Ekwonu, and Moton — from their prolific protection last season.
Canales must wonder what he's done to deserve such misfortune. Every team deals with injuries, but few have been dealt a hand as bad as the Panthers.
It's next-man-up. Everyone has to roll up their sleeves and dig in. The senior figures — Hunt and Walker, to be more specific — have to raise their performance levels without Lewis to depend on.
Anything less, and the Panthers will have a real problem on their hands.
At least the Panthers only have one more game before their early bye week. Fans were moaning about this when the schedule was released, but that's no longer the case. They desperately need it, which gives everyone a chance to heal and those in power a chance to take stock of what more is required.
Lewis has quietly emerged as one of the league's most underrated interior offensive linemen. His absence is another crippling setback for a team that held so many big ambitions heading into the campaign.
Add us as a preferred source on Google