Panthers safety Charles Godfrey said after Sunday’s loss to the Bills that he would have his injured Achilles re-examined, but that initial indications were that it was a serious injury.
Those indications have proven to be correct. Panthers coach Ron Rivera announced at his Monday press conference that the injury is severe enough that he believes Godfrey will miss the remainder of the season.
It’s a big blow to a Panthers secondary that counts Godfrey as its longest-tenured member. The team has been giving Mike Mitchell and Quintin Mikell time at the other safety spot, but Mikell was described by Rivera on Monday as “touch and go” for this week after suffering an ankle injury against the Bills. If he’s out, D.J. Moore could move over from cornerback.
Losing Godfrey is exactly what the Panthers don’t need at this moment in a season that could get ugly quickly if things don’t improve. With Ron Rivera thought to be on the hot seat, it won’t take too many more losses before things take on the feeling of a lame duck season ahead of significant changes in Carolina.