Dave Canales confirms the Panthers are opening the window to get some key veteran reinforcements back on the field
The Carolina Panthers took advantage of a much needed early bye week and will be getting some key players back at practice for the first time in months.
The Carolina Panthers are coming out of the bye week 2-2 and in sole possession of the NFC South lead. It was a much needed early bye week for this team to gauge how the first month of the season went and also to get healthier before a long final stretch.
To the latter point, head coach Dave Canales confirmed on Monday speaking with reporters that the Panthers are expected to open the practice windows for various players to return to practice.
Those two players are veteran right tackle Taylor Moton and veteran defensive lineman Turk Wharton.
“I’ll give a much clearer update on that later on in the week,” Canales explained. “Right now, the window starts to open up for these guys. I’m really excited, they’re really excited to get back out there. We got to get them some football to be able to evaluate their availability in the next couple of weeks.”
It’s been a long road back for Taylor Moton and Turk Wharton
Both of those veterans have been sidelined for months and it’ll be great for the Panthers to finally get them back on the practice field later this week. Moton was diagnosed with blood clots back in June and immediately started undergoing treatment. As for Wharton, he had neck surgery back in May.
Moton started the regular season on the reserve NFI list while Wharton was placed on the PUP list. This week, the Panthers will open the 21-day practice window for both players. Once they are fully cleared and ready to play, the Panthers would have to activate them onto the 5-man roster, provided there’s an open roster spot for each player.
That means Dan Morgan and Dave Canales will have to do some roster management over the next few weeks to get those players cleared. The Panthers are also expected to have running back Trevor Etienne back from the injured reserve coming out of the bye week.
Looking at Moton specifically, it’ll be a major boost to have the veteran tackle back. At full health, Moton is arguably the best offensive lineman on this roster and the Panthers have had some issues at tackle between Rasheed Walker, Monroe Freeling, and Stone Forsythe. It’s also worth noting that Freeling left the team’s last game with a knee injury and is a player to monitor this week.
“It’s timely, certainly,” Canales said. “Monroe’s doing everything he can to make himself available for this week. Again, we’ll go through that process. Of course, T-Mo hasn’t seen football. He looks in great shape, he’s ready to go, he’s been cleared medically. But, now it’s going to be about the football. That’s what this week is about.”
As for Wharton, the Panthers have also been dealing with some minor injury issues there as well between Bobby Brown III and Lee Hunter, who have been on the injury report off and on over the first four weeks. Brown, especially, who’s missed some time this season. However, the Panthers have had some younger guys stepping up in the interior.
“It can be a real breath of fresh air,” Canales explained. “First and foremost, let’s just talk from a personal standpoint, he’s worked so hard to get back to this point. We were so fired up to get that information earlier to be cleared to be able to get back to playing football. He brings an energy and excitement, whether it’s in practice and especially the games. It’ll be very interesting to see how we’re able to factor him back into a role. But, all of that stuff will make sense the more we see where his physical readiness is.”
It’s not an immediate boost in terms of having both players ready for Week 6. But, it’s a positive step in the right direction for two veterans who mean a lot to this organization.
