The Carolina Panthers’ injury concerns heading into Sunday revolved around their offensive battery of quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey. But it was another key member of that unit that raised another problem in the health department.
On the first drive of their Week 9 matchup with the New England Patriots, center Matt Paradis went down with a knee injury, according to AJ Ross of CBS Sports. The seventh-year lineman was carted off to the locker room and subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Sam Tecklenburg, who’s in his second professional campaign with the Panthers, took over on the third play for the group. The Baylor University product has appeared in all eight games in 2021, with each of his 34 previous snaps coming on special teams.
Paradis’ injury now makes for the unfortunate trinity of what was Carolina’s starting interior line to begin the year. Left guard Pat Elflein was ruled inactive prior to kickoff as he continues his return off the injured reserve while right guard John Miller remains in his stint in street clothes.
[lawrence-related id=643889]
[listicle id=643862]