Jan. 18, 2026, 7:30 a.m. ET
The Carolina Panthers may have to prepare as if they won’t have their starting left tackle this next year.
President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan chatted about the 2025 season and the 2026 offseason on Thursday’s episode of Mac & Bone. And when talking about the outlook at left tackle following the devastating knee injury to Ikem Ekwonu, Morgan said that the team will have to be ready to adapt and adjust.
“We’re gonna support him through the process, and be there for him,” he stated. “But from a roster-building standpoint—availability, to us, is everything. When you lose a pillar like that on the offensive line, it can be a little bit of a wake-up call and you can never have enough depth in the trenches.
“I think, this offseason, we have to approach with a contingency plan and we can’t just hope that Ickey’s gonna be ready for Week 1. We have to be aggressive in evaluating the tackle market in free agency and the draft class. Whether it’s bringing in a high-level or someone who can compete for a starting spot, we’re gonna insulate that position.”
Ekwonu exited last weekend’s wild-card round loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Carolina’s second offensive possession. Head coach Dave Canales, while speaking with reporters the next day, confirmed Ekwonu sustained a ruptured patellar tendon—a setback that is likely to affect his status going into the upcoming campaign.
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The 2022 sixth overall pick will be entering his fifth-year option in 2026.
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