Injuries have plagued the Panthers’ offensive line and it could affect the season early on.
On Thursday night, in the Panthers’ first and only preseason loss to the Steelers, the offensive line was much of the problem. With projected starters Daryl Williams (torn MCL/dislocated patella) and Amini Silatolu (torn meniscus) out right now, the backups did not look good in Carolina’s 39-24 loss. Backup quarterbacks Taylor Heinicke and Garrett Gilbert were continuously pushed out of the pocket and pressured by Steelers defenders.
Reserve lineman Jeremiah Sirles, who was slotted to fill in for second-year Taylor Moton—who slid from right to left tackle after Matt Kalil’s knee injury—missed all week due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the third preseason game against the Patriots.