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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A longtime Carolina Panthers player made his return to practice, more than three months after he experienced a serious health condition.
Taylor Moton, who has been a stalwart on the Panthers’ starting offensive line over the past decade, was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in the weeks leading up to training camp.
The 32-year-old said he had just gotten home from putting on a youth football camp in Michigan when he started to cough up blood.
“I started coughing up blood … it was, like, a lot of it,” Moton said. “I could start feeling it like leaking through my chest even. Something, like, really different. So after like 15 minutes, I was like, ‘Yeah, I got to go to the hospital.’”
At the hospital, Moton said doctors found “a multitude of clots” in his right lung. He said he also had a “very, very high blood pressure” that reached a “crazy, life-threatening number.”
“It was scary. You start coughing up blood, you start, you know, thinking the worst,” he said. “But thank God I’m still on this side of earth … It just makes you count your blessings, right? So I’m just happy to be here. Still get to see my family … It’s just a blessing.”
After his diagnosis, Moton said doctors started him on blood thinners. He said he felt normal immediately once the clots cleared and his blood pressure stabilized but the blood thinners made him unable to get hit.
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Moton was put on the non-football illness list at the start of training camp, and had not practiced or played since — that is until Tuesday, when the Panthers designated him to return.
The 10th-year player was dressed in full pads and his No. 72 jersey during the Panthers’ first practice after their bye. Head coach Dave Canales said Moton, Turk Wharton and Trevor Etienne all looked good in Tuesday’s practice. None have played yet in 2026, but that could change this Sunday when Carolina travels to Philadelphia to play the Eagles.
Bryce Young happy to have Moton back
Quarterback Bryce Young was one of several players happy to see Moton back on the practice field.
“T-Mo’s been working so hard,” Young said. “He’s been a huge part of the team even though he hasn’t been on the field.”
Young called Moton a leader and said the Panthers value his opinion.
Star wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan was also glad to have Moton back.
“He plays a big factor in this offense and a big factor in this team,” McMillan said. “You know, he’s one of our oldest guys on this team. So just having somebody like that is obviously a blessing.”
As for what caused the blood clots, Moton said he did not know.
What he did know is that the experience gave him new perspective and an appreciation for life.
“Honestly, it gave me more gratitude for life in general,” Moton said. “Like football, yeah, but just past that. Now I wake up with a new sense of just happy to be able to put my feet, you know, on this side of the earth. When something like that happens, you see the repercussions of what a pulmonary embolism does to people.”
At the end of his first practice back, Moton broke the team down and shared a little of what he told his teammates.
“My message today to the guys is, have an attitude of gratitude … That’s just not taking it for granted,” he said. “Along with that is just making sure we come in here and you come to work, you do everything the right way.”
It is not yet clear whether Moton will suit up against the Eagles on Sunday afternoon, but he certainly seems to have a fair chance — and nobody has said he can’t play as of Wednesday.
Having Moton back would be a welcome addition for the Panthers, especially with rookie Monroe Freeling — who started at right tackle in Moton’s place — dealing with a knee injury.
Of everyone currently with the Panthers, only J.J. Jansen has been on the team longer than Moton.
Prior to the 2026 season, Moton had missed only four games since the Panthers drafted him in 2017. He has been among the team’s best players over that span, and now has a chance to return with things looking up for Carolina.
Sunday’s game is scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m., and will air on WBTV/CBS.
Longtime Panthers player Taylor Moton is back after battling blood clots in his lungs.(Jacob Kupferman | AP)Click here for more Panthers news
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