The Carolina Panthers' preseason defeat to the Buffalo Bills was almost inevitable after the first-string offense failed to generate a first down on its three drives. And this also exposed a glaring frailty that must be addressed.
It may have been the starters, but the Panthers were without their starting guard tandem of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. They are among the league's best combinations on the interior, transforming Carolina's fortunes in this area of the field. However, the depth behind them is subpar at best.
And if either Hunt or Lewis is forced to miss time in the regular season, the Panthers will have a massive problem on their hands.
Carolina Panthers' offensive line depth is quickly becoming a problem
Nobody who filled the void at Highmark Stadium shone. Anyone expecting 2023 fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala to finally take a leap forward will be out of luck. The interior often crumbled against the Bills' second- and third-string, which gives head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan a lot to think about in the coming weeks.
Every team needs consistent offensive line depth. The Panthers have already been tested on the protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young with injuries to Ikem Ekwonu, Hunt, Saahdiq Charles, and Lewis. Of course, veteran right tackle Taylor Moton is also out with blood clots, and there is just no telling when he will return.
This won't go unnoticed. The Panthers were hoping someone would step up, but it hasn't happened yet. Until it does, the chances of further reinforcements arriving off the waiver wire after final cuts remain high.
Morgan cannot leave anything to chance. It's a big year for the Panthers, who are aiming to take the next step as NFC South champions. Injuries happen all the time along their offensive line, and the backup options just aren't hitting their marks.
There is still time to turn things around.
The Panthers have two more preseason games, training camp sessions, and upcoming joint practices with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans to hone their craft. At the same time, the sample size is sufficient to suggest that much more is needed to bolster depth.
Charles' injury was especially unfortunate. He had a strong camp before yet another calf injury. The LSU product could have been a nice depth option, but the complication was severe enough for the Panthers to send him packing.
Canales and Morgan know what they are doing. They'll have a good understanding of what more is required, and it would be a big surprise if changes weren't made along the line before Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.
The Panthers don't give up on their young players easily. But even so, it doesn't look especially promising right now.
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