One of the drummers from Spinal Tap has come back to life.
Faced with mounting injuries at right guard, the Panthers are bringing back the guy they cut in training camp who started a ridiculous series of moves at the position.
According to Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer, veteran guard Geoff Hangartner is flying to Charlotte today and will sign with the Panthers if he passes a physical.
Hangartner was released during training camp, ending his second stint with the team (he came back after signing with the Bills as a free agent).
But since he left, right guards Garry Williams and Edmund Kugbila went on injured reserve, along with left guard Amini Silatolu.
Then, recent right guard starter Chris Scott left Sunday’s game with a knee sprain, and backup Jeff Byers suffered a season-ending left foot injury (he had surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury Monday). That left Nate Chandler, who was a defensive tackle last year before being converted to offensive tackle this year to finish the game. Chandler hadn’t played guard in a game before finishing up against the Falcons.
Hangartner has been a perfectly serviceable pro during his career, but they’re clearly scrambling. Their starting left guard is Travelle Wharton, who they brought back after a stint in Cincinnati ended with a knee injury, so they’re clearly getting the band back together.
Todd Steussie, Jeff Mitchell, Matt Willig and Stumpy Joe will doubtless be on their way shortly.