Cam Erving agrees to re-sign with Panthers

Posted by Charean Williams on May 8, 2023, 11:22 PM EDT

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The Panthers have agreed to terms with free agent offensive lineman Cam Erving on a one-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Erving, 30, spent the past two seasons with the Panthers.

He played 11 games last season, seeing action on 76 offensive snaps and six on special teams. He started nine games at left tackle for the Panthers in 2021.

Erving will compete for the swing tackle job behind Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton.

The Browns made Erving the 19th overall pick in 2015, and he spent two seasons in Cleveland, three in Kansas City and one in Dallas before landing in Carolina.

In his career, Erving has played 95 games with 56 starts.

Brady Christensen: If we can give Bryce Young time to do his thing, it will be incredible

Posted by Josh Alper on May 5, 2023, 1:31 PM EDT

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Before the Panthers decided on Bryce Young as their quarterback of the future, they spent some time building up the offensive line that will be playing in front of him.

During the 2022 offseason, the Panthers signed center Bradley Bozeman and right guard Austin Corbett as free agents before they drafted left tackle Ickey Ekonwu and left guard Brady Christensen in the first three rounds. Right tackle Taylor Moton has been in town since 2017 and he signed an extension in 2021, so it appears the team was focused on making sure their eventual quarterback would be well protected.

Ekonwu said the offensive line will do “everything we can do to ease” Young’s transition to the professional game and Christensen said he thinks their success will directly contribute to Young thriving early in his career.

“I think it’s a great plan,” Christensen said, via Joseph Person of TheAthletic.com. “As a rookie quarterback, it’s a tough gig. If we can just give him time so he can do his thing, it’s gonna be incredible. . . . I feel like some of those rookie quarterbacks, they’re not in the perfect situation. But I feel like [Young] is coming in and really [has] a lot of talent around him to help him out, so he’s not trying to do it all himself.”

The Panthers say there’s no timeline for making Young the starter, but first overall picks don’t sit for long and having a capable offensive line will make it much easier for the team to let Young learn on the job.

Panthers restructure Taylor Moton’s contract for cap space

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 8, 2023, 4:16 PM EST

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Carolina has made a move to free up some money before the new league year begins.

The Panthers announced on Wednesday that they’ve restructured right tackle Taylor Moton‘s contract for cap space.

Per Joe Person of TheAthletic.com, the restructuring freed up $11.15 million of cap space. Moton was set to have a $25 million cap hit in 2023.

Moton still has three seasons left on the extension he signed before the 2021 season.

A second-round pick in 2017, Moton has been a mainstay of Carolina’s offensive line since 2018. While he appeared in all 16 games in 2017, he mostly played special teams.

Moton has not missed an offensive snap since the beginning of the 2018 season.

D’Onta Foreman gets rest day, Jaycee Horn out this week

Posted by Josh Alper on December 28, 2022, 2:43 PM EST

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The Panthers running game is coming off a massive day and two of the players responsible for it are getting some extra rest on Wednesday.

Running back D'Onta Foreman and tight tackle Taylor Moton each got the day off for Carolina. Foreman was named the NFC’s offensive player of the week after running 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown against the Lions, so the Panthers will like him to have as much in the tank as possible against the Buccaneers.

Linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring), wide receiver Shi Smith (foot), and tight end Tommy Tremble (hip) were limited participants for the Panthers.

Cornerback Jaycee Horn (wrist) was the only player not to practice. He had surgery on Tuesday, so there was no expectation he would be on the field and head coach Steve Wilks confirmed that he will not play this week. Horn has not been ruled out for Week 18, however.

Jaycee Horn limited, C.J. Henderson full at Panthers practice

Posted by Josh Alper on December 20, 2022, 2:38 PM EST

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Starting cornerbacks C.J. Henderson and Jaycee Horn both made an appearance on the Panthers injury report on Tuesday.

Henderson was a full participant in practice after injuring his ankle in last Sunday’s loss to the Steelers. Henderson only played four snaps before departing, but his participation level suggests there’s not much concern about his fitness for this week’s matchup with the Lions.

Horn played every defensive snap against Pittsburgh, but he was a limited participant due to a shoulder issue on Tuesday.

Right tackle Taylor Moton was the only Panthers player who didn’t practice. He took a rest day.

Linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (hamstring), tight end Ian Thomas (thigh), and safety Myles Hartsfield (ankle) were limited participants.

Taylor Moton limited in Panthers practice, Brian Burns up to full participation

Posted by Josh Alper on November 8, 2022, 4:10 PM EST

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Right tackle Taylor Moton was added to the Panthers injury report on Tuesday.

Moton was listed as a limited participant with an elbow injury in the team’s only full practice session before Thursday night’s game against the Falcons. Moton has started 74 straight games and has never missed a game due to injury since entering the league in 2017.

While Moton went the wrong direction on the participation front, defensive end Brian Burns took a more positive step. He was a full participant after being listed as limited on Monday.

Defensive tackle Derrick Brown (illness), running back Chuba Hubbard (ankle), linebacker Frankie Luvu (neck), and wide receiver Laviska Shenault (illness) were also bumped up to full participation. Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (back) went from out of practice to limited participation while safety Juston Burris (concussion) and wide receiver Rashard Higgins (illness) remained out of action.

Chuba Hubbard doesn’t practice Wednesday

Posted by Josh Alper on October 26, 2022, 2:38 PM EDT

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Running back Chuba Hubbard scored a touchdown to help the Panthers upset the Buccaneers last Sunday, but he picked up an ankle injury late in the 21-3 win.

Hubbard missed the remainder of the game and he remained off the field on Wednesday when the Panthers began their practice week. Hubbard ran nine times for 63 yards overall against Carolina.

Three other Panthers players missed practice. Guard Michael Jordan was out for personal reasons while defensive lineman Marquis Haynes, right tackle Taylor Moton, and defensive linemen Daviyon Nixon were listed as out due to illness.

Head coach Steve Wilks said at his press conference that the players do not have COVID and that their absence is not related to the illness that led the team to put defensive lineman Henry Anderson on the NFI list this week.

Cornerbacks Jaycee Horn (ribs) and Donte Jackson (ankle); safeties Myles Hartsfield (hamstring) and Sean Chandler (hamstring); linebackers Frankie Luvu (shoulder), Cory Littleton (groin), and Arron Mosby (hamstring); defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis (concussion; and wide receiver Laviska Shenault (hamstring) were listed as limited.

NFL Week 7 injury report roundup: Rashad Fenton out, Joe Thuney questionable for Chiefs

Posted by Josh Alper on October 21, 2022, 6:13 PM EDT

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Week Seven of the 2022 NFL season kicked off on Thursday with a win by the Cardinals and it continues with 12 more games on Sunday, which means that the 24 teams in those games submitted their final injury reports of the week on Friday.

Chiefs at 49ers

The Chiefs ruled CB Rashad Fenton (hamstring) out for Sunday’s Super Bowl LIV rematch. DE Mike Danna (calf) and G Joe Thuney (ankle) are both listed as questionable after practicing the last two days.

The biggest question for the 49ers is whether RB Christian McCaffrey will play days after being traded by the Panthers. On the injury front, CB Charvarius Ward (groin) and S Taloanoa Hufanga (concussion) are listed as questionable while DT Arik Armstead (foot, ankle) is out. DE Nick Bosa (groin), T Trent Williams (ankle), and S Jimmie Ward (hand) are all off the injury report.

Falcons at Bengals

CB Dee Alford (hamstring) and WR Jared Bernhardt (groin) are out for the Falcons.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (hip) will play, but DE Jeffrey Gunter (knee), DT Josh Tupou (calf), and LB Logan Wilson (shoulder) have been ruled out. WR Stanley Morgan (hamstring) is listed as doubtful.

Browns at Ravens

The Browns have ruled out T Joe Haeg (concussion), G Wyatt Teller (calf), and CB Denzel Ward (concussion) for Sunday. DE Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) and DE Isaac Rochell (knee) are both listed as questionable.

TE Mark Andrews (knee) returned to Ravens practice Friday and is listed as questionable along with WR Rashod Bateman (foot), G Ben Cleveland (foot), LB Justin Houston (groin, not injury related), T Morgan Moses (heel), CB Marcus Peters (not injury related, quad), and FB Patrick Ricard (knee). RB J.K. Dobbins (knee) was ruled out and is reportedly facing an extended absence.

Colts at Titans

RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is set to return for the Colts while WR Keke Coutee (concussion), LB JoJo Domann (abdomen), LB Shaquille Leonard (concussion, nose, back), and DE Kwity Paye (ankle) have been ruled out.

FB Tory Carter (neck), LB Zach Cunningham (elbow), G Nate Davis (foot), and LB Joseph Jones (knee) are out for the Titans. WR Kyle Philips (hamstring) is their lone questionable player.

Buccaneers at Panthers

TE Cameron Brate (neck), DT Akiem Hicks (foot), WR Julio Jones (knee), and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (quadricep) are out for the Bucs. CB Carlton Davis (hip), S Mike Edwards (elbow), and G Shaq Mason (ankle) are listed as questionable.

Panthers QB Baker Mayfield (ankle) is doubtful and P.J. Walker has already been announced as this Sunday’s starter. DT Matt Ioannidis (concussion) is also listed as doubtful. S Sean Chandler (hamstring), C Pat Elflein (hip), CB C.J. Henderson (concussion), CB Jaycee Horn (ribs), CB Donte Jackson (ankle), LB Frankie Luvu (shoulder), T Taylor Moton (knee), and WR Laviska Shenault (hamstring) are all listed as questionable.

Giants at Jaguars

The Giants will play in Jacksonville without CB Cordale Flott (calf), WR Kenny Golladay (knee), LB Azeez Ojulari (calf), WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring), and LB Oshane Ximines (quadricep). C Jon Feliciano (groin) and S Jason Pinnock (ankle) are listed as questionable.

WR Jamal Agnew (knee) and CB Shaquill Griffin (back) are out for the Jaguars. DT Folorunso Fatukasi (quadricep), DT DaVon Hamilton (foot), WR Marvin Jones (hamstring), and LB Foyesade Oluokun (calf) are listed as questionable.

Lions at Cowboys

WR D.J. Chark (ankle), DE Charles Harris (groin), S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle), T Matt Nelson (calf), and CB Bobby Price (knee) will not play for the Lions. LB Chris Board (knee), DT John Cominsky (wrist), CB Will Harris (hip), WR Josh Reynolds (knee), and RB D'Andre Swift (ankle, shoulder) make up their questionable contingent.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (thumb) is set to make his long-awaited return to action. T Matt Waletzko (shoulder) is out and is the only Cowboys player with an injury designation.

Packers at Commanders

WR Randall Cobb (ankle), C Jake Hanson (biceps), and WR Christian Watson (hamstring) have been ruled out for the Packers.

The Commanders ruled out WR Dyami Brown (groin), CB William Jackson (back), TE Logan Thomas (calf), QB Carson Wentz (right finger), and RB Jonathan Williams (knee). TE John Bates (hamstring), T Samuel Cosmi (finger), and WR Jahan Dotson (hamstring) are all listed as questionable.

Jets at Broncos

The Jets ruled DE Jermaine Johnson (ankle) out early in the week and WR Elijah Moore (not injury related) will not play after asking to be traded on Thursday. S Ashtyn Davis (hamstring) is listed as questionable.

Broncos QB Russell Wilson (hamstring) is set for a game-time decision. Brett Rypien will start if he doesn’t go. LB Josey Jewell (knee), DT D.J. Jones (ankle), G Quinn Meinerz (foot), and DT DeShawn Williams (back) are also in the questionable category. CB Essang Bassey (hamstring) is out and S Caden Sterns (hip) is listed as doubtful.

Texans at Raiders

The Texans ruled out DE Jonathan Greenard (calf). T Austin Deculus (ankle), TE Brevin Jordan (ankle), and WR Chris Moore (hip) are listed as questionable.

TE Darren Waller (hamstring) is out for the Raiders. LB Jayon Brown (hamstring), WR Mack Hollins (heel), and WR Hunter Renfrow (hip) drew questionable tags.

Seahawks at Chargers

WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring) is questionable for the Seahawks after missing practice this week. CB Sidney Jones (groin) has the same tag while CB Artie Burns (groin), WR Penny Hart (hamstring), and G Gabe Jackson (knee, hip) are listed as doubtful. CB Isaiah Dunn (hamstring) will not play.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen (hamstring) is listed as questionable to make his first appearance since the first week of the regular season. DL Sebastian Joseph-Day (ankle) joins Allen in that group. K Dustin Hopkins (right hamstring), RB Joshua Kelley (knee), WR Josh Palmer (concussion), and TE Donald Parham (concussion) are all out.

Steelers at Dolphins

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (concussion) was cleared by doctors and will start on Sunday night. WR Steven Sims (hamstring) won’t play, CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) is considered doubtful, and CB James Pierre (hip, knee) is listed as questionable.

T Terron Armstead (toe), CB Xavien Howard (groin), CB Kader Kohou (abdomen), T Greg Little (Achilles), DE Emmanuel Ogbah (back), TE Durham Smythe (hamstring), QB Skylar Thompson (right thumb), WR Jaylen Waddle (shoulder), and DT Christian Wilkins (hand) make up a sizable group of questionable Dolphins. CB Keion Crossen (knee) is listed as doubtful.

Taylor Moton limited at Panthers practice, Christian McCaffrey has a rest day

Posted by Josh Alper on September 14, 2022, 2:43 PM EDT

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The Panthers didn’t have running back Christian McCaffrey on the practice field Wednesday, but it was because of injury precaution rather than a response to an injury.

McCaffrey had a rest day as the Panthers began their on-field preparations for the Giants. McCaffrey ran 10 times for 33 yards and a touchdown in the 26-24 loss to the Browns last weekend. He also caught four passes for 24 yards.

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said that Wednesdays will likely be a rest day for McCaffrey throughout the year.

Defensive end Marquis Haynes (hip) was the only other player out of practice on Wednesday.

Left tackle Taylor Moton was listed as a limited participant due to a knee injury. Moton has not missed a game since being drafted in the second round in 2017.

Linebackers Frankie Luvu (shoulder) and Brandon Smith (thigh) were also limited in Wednesday’s practice.

Baker Mayfield is one of eight Panthers captains

Posted by Josh Alper on September 8, 2022, 3:20 PM EDT

NFL: AUG 26 Preseason - Bills at Panthers

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Baker Mayfield hasn’t been a member of the Panthers all that long, but it has been long enough for him to be voted one of the team’s captains for the 2022 season.

The Panthers announced that Mayfield will be wearing a “C” on his jersey when he takes the field for his new team. Mayfield was acquired in a trade with the Browns in early July and was named the starting quarterback last month after competing with Sam Darnold for the job.

Mayfield is one of eight captains named by the Panthers on Thursday. Other teams have opted for a smaller number of captains. That group includes the 49ers and that decision has drawn notice because their starting quarterback Trey Lance came in seventh in voting, but head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to go with six captains.

Running back Christian McCaffrey, linebacker Shaq Thompson, tackle Taylor Moton, cornerback Donte Jackson, defensive end Brian Burns, long snapper JJ Jansen, and safety Jeremy Chinn will be the other captatins in Carolina.

Cameron Erving questionable to return with elbow injury

Posted by Charean Williams on August 19, 2022, 8:26 PM EDT

NFL: AUG 17 Patriots Panthers Joint-Practice

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Panthers offensive lineman Cameron Erving left the first half of Friday night’s preseason game for the training room with an elbow injury. The Panthers list him as questionable to return.

Erving started at right tackle with starter Taylor Moton one of the 30 Panthers not playing.

Erving started nine games at left tackle last season for Carolina but missed games with a neck injury, an illness and a calf injury. He went on injured reserve Nov. 8 with the calf issue.

He had two stints on injured reserve with the Cowboys in 2020 because of knee injuries, ending his season with five starts.

In seven seasons with four teams, Erving has appeared in 84 games with 56 starts. He has played guard, tackle and center in his career.

UPDATE 8:33 P.M.: Erving returned to the game before the half ended.

Panthers restructure Shaq Thompson’s contract

Posted by Myles Simmons on March 7, 2022, 12:47 PM EST

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The Panthers have made another move to create some cap space.

Carolina announced on Monday that the team has restructured linebacker Shaq Thompson‘s contract. Thompson was set to count $18.1 million against the Panthers’ cap in 2022, per overthcap.com.

According to multiple reports, Carolina gained about $5 million in cap space with Thompson’s restructured deal. That gives the club about $29 million in cap room.

The Panthers’ only higher cap number is quarterback Sam Darnold at $18.9 million.

Thompson was second on the Panthers with 104 tackles in 2022, also recording 2.0 sacks and a pair of interceptions. Thompson, the 25th overall pick in 2015, missed three games with a foot injury.

Carolina also restructured offensive tackle Taylor Moton’s contract last week to create $11 million in cap room.

The Panthers have brought back three pending free agents in Frankie Luvu, Ian Thomas, and J.J. Jansen.

Panthers restructure Taylor Moton’s contract to clear cap space

Posted by Charean Williams on March 4, 2022, 4:30 PM EST

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The Panthers created some salary cap room Friday ahead of the start of the league year.

They restructured the contract of right tackle Taylor Moton, the team announced. Ellis Williams of The Charlotte Observer reports the move frees up $11 million of cap space.

The move will add $3.7 million to each future year.

Moton signed a five-year, $85 million contract last summer.

The Panthers already re-signed pending free agents Frankie Luvu, Ian Thomas and J.J. Jansen. They have 19 unrestricted free agents.

Yetur Gross-Matos wouldn’t have practiced for Panthers Monday

Posted by Josh Alper on September 20, 2021, 5:39 PM EDT

NFL: AUG 27 Preseason - Steelers at Panthers

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When Panthers head coach Matt Rhule met with the media on Monday, he said that left guard Pat Elflein is unlikely to play against the Texans on Thursday night due to a hamstring injury so it was no surprise to see him listed as a non-participant in practice on the team’s estimated injury report.

Rhule also said that he is concerned about defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos‘ ankle and Gross-Matos also would have sat out practice on Monday. Gross-Matos had one tackle on nine defensive snaps in Sunday’s win over the Saints.

Rhule said there was no concern about running back Christian McCaffrey after he missed some time with cramping on Sunday. He’s not on the injury report at all.

Tackle Cameron Erving (knee) and defensive end Morgan Fox (ankle) would have been limited participants. G Dennis Daley (hip), T Taylor Moton (ankle), RB Giovanni Ricci (knee), and TE Tommy Tremble (groin) would have fully participated in the session.

Panthers add Taylor Moton to injury report

Posted by Josh Alper on September 16, 2021, 3:51 PM EDT

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Thursday’s injury report in Carolina included a new name from the starting offensive line.

Right tackle Taylor Moton was added to the report after reporting tightness in his groin at the start of practice. Moton wound up being listed as a limited participant, which will make his status on Friday something to watch because Moton would be a big piece to lose against the Saints’ defensive line.

Trent Scott and Brady Christensen would be options to take Moton’s spot if he can’t go on Sunday.

Guards John Miller (illness) and Pat Elflein (hip) were upgraded to full participation after getting in a limited session on Wednesday. Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (groin) remained limited for the second straight day.