Injury report: 3 starting OL on it

[Captain Morgan]

The Carolina Panthers might be down a few hog mollies for their regular-season opener.

Wednesday's injury report, the first of the 2025 campaign for the team, included three starting offensive linemen—left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt. Ekwonu, who underwent an appendectomy last Sunday, did not participate in practice this afternoon.

Head coach Dave Canales was asked what the plan would be at the position if Ekwonu is out for their Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"Yosh [Nijman] has been taking a lot of reps there," Canales replied. "Then also, Brady [Christensen] has been taking reps at left and right, as always. So we're just gonna kinda take it one day at a time."

 

Here's the Panthers' full injury report from Wednesday:

OT Ikem Ekwonu (Illness) | Wednesday: DNP
G Damien Lewis (Shoulder/ankle) | Wednesday: Limited
CB Damarri Mathis (Knee) | Wednesday: Limited
G Robert Hunt (Foot) | Wednesday: Limited

 

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2025/09/03/panthers-week-1-injury-updates-ikem-ekwonu-robert-hunt/85958324007/?taid=68b89ea3a9960a0001fc10b5&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=twitter

 

Edited 3 hours ago by Captain Morgan

[Jay Roosevelt]

Our S&C staff has to be the worst in the NFL. How are ALL our best players always hurt?

[Captain Morgan]

Steve Reed
@SteveReedAP
·
47m
On Hunt, he tweaked his foot today in practice. He left practice for a bit, then returned for a few plays before the Panthers shut him down as a precautionary measure. Team should know more later today on his status.

 

Alex Zietlow
@alexzietlow05
·
47m
#Panthers coach Dave Canales on who could replace Ickey Ekwonu — who did not participate in practice today — in Week 1 … as well as what needs to happen for Ekwonu to play Sunday. 

He has to have “a really good Friday.”

 

Joe Person
@josephperson
·
49m
Canales: The hope is LT Ikem Ekwonu can do a little more by Friday (mentioned hitting bags) to see if he could be available Sunday.

G Robert Hunt tweaked his foot during practice. Returned to drills, but then coaches and med. staff decided to hold him out.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Darin Gantt
@daringantt
·
51m
Canales said Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen have worked at LT in Ikem Ekwonu's absence. 

Said the goal is for Ekwonu to work Friday in individual to decide if he can play Sunday.

 

 

[therealmjl]

We are beyond screwed

[PantherChris]

4 minutes ago, therealmjl said:

We are beyond screwed

Sounds like both Gs will be playing   who knows about ickey.

[KSpan]

[mrcompletely11]

Spread is still 3.5

[frankw]

Two key guys we've tied up a ton of salary cap in dealing with nagging injuries before the season even starts. Same old Panthers.

[Seltzer]

7 minutes ago, PantherChris said:

Sounds like both Gs will be playing   who knows about ickey.

This is the not panicked take.

Sucks about Icky but hopefully its only 1 game.

[Seltzer]

3 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Spread is still 3.5

Vegas historically has given 3 points to the home team.

Basically see of as equal with the slight nod to the Jags. Totally fair

[T-Wazzle]

[L-TownCat]

Sure glad we take it easy on the players so they don’t get hurt before the season starts.  Could you imagine if 4 of our 11 starters on offense went down just prior to our 1st game?  
 

[mc52beast]

It wouldn’t be the Panthers unless we started the season with half the o-line out.