Panthers put Ikem Ekwonu on PUP list, optimistic he’ll return this season - NBC Sports

What the report says

NBCSports.com’s Pro Football Talk reported that the Carolina Panthers will begin training camp without left tackle Ikem Ekwonu on the practice field, as general manager Dan Morgan said Wednesday that Ekwonu is being placed on the physically unable to perform list. Ekwonu, a 2022 first-round draft pick, is continuing rehabilitation after tearing his patellar tendon in Carolina’s January playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

According to the report, Morgan described Ekwonu’s recovery as being in a positive stage and expressed optimism that the tackle can return during the regular season. However, he did not provide a specific timetable. A PUP designation at the start of camp allows a player to continue rehab while remaining eligible to be activated later, depending on medical progress and roster rules.

The Panthers are also dealing with other availability issues along the line. NBCSports.com reported that right tackle Taylor Moton was placed on the non-football injury list because of a blood clot in his lung and is expected to miss time into the regular season. That could make Rasheed Walker and 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling leading options at tackle while Carolina waits for its starters to recover.

Morgan also announced additional roster designations: defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton is going on PUP with a neck injury, defensive lineman Bobby Brown is headed to the non-football injury list because of a hamstring issue, and cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau was waived from the NFI list. The developments matter because offensive tackle depth is a critical camp storyline for a team preparing for the season while managing multiple injuries.