Tag: Pat Elflein

Panthers C Bradley Bozeman carted off with apparent lower leg injury

Panthers C Bradley Bozeman was carted off from Tuesday’s joint practice with the Patriots due to a lower leg injury.

Update (12:31 p.m. ET): Head coach Matt Rhule told reporters on Wednesday that he expects Bozeman to miss two to three weeks.

Just as things were starting to look brighter for the Carolin Panthers’ offensive line, the team lost one of its most promising new faces to injury.

During an 11-on-11 session in the first joint practice session with the New England Patriots, center Bradley Bozeman sustained an apparent left ankle injury. He stood up on his own before being carted off the field.

Bozeman has been locked in a close battle with fellow veteran Pat Elflein to win the starting center position. Elflein started 58 games there for the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Panthers, but is smaller than Bozeman—weighing 305 pounds at a height of 6-foot-3. Bozeman, by contrast, has started nine fewer games in his career, but comes in at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds—which could help his fit in new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s physical style.

Throughout camp, the two veterans have split reps with the first-string offense as head Matt Rhule and offensive line coach James Campen try to find the right combination of starters. For now, though, Elflein will have to step up to be the first-string center as we await an update on Bozeman’s injury.

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Panthers PFF grades: Best and worst from preseason opener vs. Commanders

In his first preseason outing, Baker Mayfield earned the Panthers’ highest offensive grade from Pro Football Focus.

Which Carolina Panthers impressed (and didn’t impress) the film buffs on Saturday afternoon? Here’s how Pro Football Focus dissected the very best and very worst from the preseason opener against the Washington Commanders.

Panthers OL Bradley Bozeman: ‘I shine at center’

Although he probably prefers to play as a center, Bradley Bozeman is ready to line up wherever the Panthers need him.

Prior to 2021, in which he started at center for the Baltimore Ravens, new Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman played every one of his NFL snaps at guard. So that experience may come in handy.

When asked where he expects to play this upcoming season, Bozeman—who could see some competition at center from fellow veteran Pat Elflein—left his answer pretty open.

“I’m a very versatile offensive lineman. I can play guard, I can play center. Tackle, quarterback—wherever you need me,” he said with a smile. “But I feel like I’m a very capable guard. I think really I shine at center. I think that’s where I bring my best values to the table. But open to play wherever. I mean, I’m here to help the team. That’s why I was brought here.”

Quarterback, you say? Don’t tease us, Bradley.

Bozeman signed a one-year, $2.8 million deal with the Panthers out of free agency. That pact came fresh off a career campaign for the 27-year-old, as he earned highs across the board—overall as well as for pass blocking and run blocking—in Pro Football Focus’ grading system.

It’s still very, very early, so no determination to who plays where is even close to being made. But if he does end up shifting over a spot, Bozeman will be ready for it.

“Overall, really everything,” he said about what he’s prepared to learn in a potential transition. “Just my balance, my body control, my hand placement. Just everything that comes with that. My knowledge of the game, being able to read stances, read defenses, be able to be on top of it and know what’s gonna happen before it happens. I think at guard that would be a real strong suit for me to go and learn and become a better guard.”

And if all else fails, he may actually wind up under center rather than at center for this quarterback-deprived franchise.

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Panthers restructure contract of OL Pat Elflein

What does this latest instance of cap maneuvering mean for Pat Elflein and the Panthers?

The Carolina Panthers have been posturing up for impactful roster moves all offseason. They continued to do so early Saturday afternoon, with yet another reworked deal.

After right tackle Taylor Moton and linebacker Shaq Thompson came to new terms, it was offensive lineman Pat Elflein’s turn to restructure his contract. As first reported by ESPN’s Field Yates, the Panthers opened up a little over $2.4 million more by converting $4.8 million of Elflein’s 2022 take into a signing bonus.

Between these three moves, Carolina has now given themselves an extra $30 million of cap space to work with headed into free agency this week. It also, in a coincidental piece of timing, creates more space to take on a particular big-money contract of a particular big-name quarterback.

That, of course, would be Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans—who is expected to be traded relatively soon after avoiding criminal charges on Friday. As they have for the past year, the Panthers and owner David Tepper have maintained interest in the 26-year-old passer, whose 2022 cap hit is currently projected at $40.4 million.

In Elflein’s case, the move will force Carolina to kick the can on the three-year, $13.5 million deal he signed last spring. The fifth-year veteran played in nine games in 2021, with seven starts coming at center.

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Panthers PFF grades: Best and worst from Week 17 vs. Saints

Even in another bad outing for the Panthers’ offensive line, PFF says LT Brady Christensen did himself some justice in Week 17.

When it comes to Carolina Panthers rookie Brady Christensen and his future at the left tackle position, it’s seemingly Matt Rhule vs. everybody. While the former refuses to cement his third-round pick on the blindside, the latter continues to yearn for it.

Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, however, may have scored a point for everybody—at least according to Pro Football Focus.

Panthers place two offensive linemen on reserve/COVID-19 list

With starting center Pat Elflein now on the shelf, the Panthers will be rolling out yet another new offensive line combination in Week 16.

If the Carolina Panthers lead in the something, it’s probably for their amount of different starting offensive lines. Unfortunately, they’ll be adding to that lead come Sunday.

The team announced the placement of three more players to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. That trio includes starting center Pat Elflein, backup offensive lineman Dennis Daley and practice squad defensive end Austin Larkin.

Elflein, with Matt Paradis having sustained a season-ending knee injury earlier in the year, has started in the middle in each of the past five weeks. His status will now give way and the start for the Week 16 matchup to Sam Tecklenburg—marking what’ll be the 12th unique combination along the front for Carolina in 15 games.

Also in question for the contest is left tackle Cameron Erving, who was listed on Wednesday’s injury report as a limited participant with a calf issue. Rookie Brady Christensen would presumably get the start on the blindside against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if Erving isn’t a go.

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Panthers QB Cam Newton on Week 14 fumble: ‘Should have just ate it’

Was Panthers QB Cam Newton really to blame for the costly fumble in the Week 14 loss?

If the Carolina Panthers got a great performance from Cam Newton in his first start and a not-so-great performance from Cam Newton in his second start, then his third was probably somewhere right in the middle.

The 11th-year quarterback’s Week 14 performance, where he passed for 178 yards and rushed for 47 more, was dragged down by a pair of costly turnovers. One came on a pick-six to Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker and the other, well, seems to be up for debate.

Down 20-14 with just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter, center Pat Elflein stepped back onto Newton’s foot off a snap. The miscue forced a trip of Newton, who then tried to salvage the play on a botched handoff attempt to running back Chuba Hubbard.

So, although it’s really a moot point to argue, who’s fault was it? Newton, as he always has, took up the blame.

“I got stepped on, I just tried to hand it off, shouldn’t have did it, should have just ate it,” he said following the 29-21 loss. Once again, it just comes down to protecting the football. That’s day one, just winning football in rec ball, high school, college and professionals, protect the football and I didn’t do a good job of that today. I think that’s what so frustrating because I hold myself to a high standard to do those things. When it doesn’t happen, it’s just inexcusable.”

Newton added that he thought about actually eating the loss, but wanted to keep the ball going on the 2nd & 3 try.

“Yeah, I just thought, it was second and short and I just feel somebody kind of tugging on my foot and I just wanted to keep the ball going forward,” he said. “I knew we didn’t, I didn’t want to take no loss right there, but in hindsight, yeah, I would have just did what I should have did and you know it is what it is. But those, without a doubt, you take those turnovers away, I think it would be a different type of tempo right here, right now. I’m just, yeah, I made my point.”

Per usual, Newton will take the brunt of the backlash for his offensive line’s shortcomings. But, hey, at least he’s used to it.

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Carolina Panthers QB Sam Darnold remains limited in Thursday practice

Panthers QB Sam Darnold was still limited on Thursday as he continues to deal with a concussion and a right shoulder injury.

Thursday didn’t see much change across the board for the Carolina Panthers. That board, of course, includes the very uncertain statuses of quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey.

Darnold, who exited Week 8’s win against the Atlanta Falcons with a concussion, remained limited in his activity during today’s practice. He’s also dealing with a right shoulder issue that may add to the difficulty in returning on time for Sunday’s matchup with the New England Patriots.

McCaffrey, again, was kept largely under wraps throughout the session. He hit the stationary bike and participated in team stretches.

The rest of the report reads out pretty cleanly.

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
CB C.J. Henderson Shoulder Full Full
LB Shaq Thompson Foot Limited Full
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. Concussion Full –
T Cameron Erving Knee Full Full
C Matt Paradis Knee Full Full
CB Stephon Gilmore Quad Full Full
QB Sam Darnold Concussion/Right shoulder Limited Limited
LB Jermaine Carter Jr. Ankle Full Full
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III Toe Limited DNP
G Pat Elflein Hamstring – Full

Guard Pat Elflein, one day after being moved back to the active roster, was added to the report as a full-go. Cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver III was the only Panther not to participate, presumably taking a step back with his toe injury.

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Panthers add G Pat Elflein back to 53-man roster

Before they lost him for the season, the Panthers added G Pat Elflein back to the 53-man roster on Wednesday.

The Carolina Panthers were posed with a case of “Take ’em or leave ’em” on Wednesday. So, they took ’em.

As first reported by Darin Gantt of Panthers.com, the team will be moving guard Pat Elflein to the active 53-man roster. Had they not made the decision to do so today, the fifth-year lineman would’ve been lost for the rest of 2021.

The 21-day window to move Elflein, who was designated to return off the injured reserve three weeks ago, was closing up. Per league rules, he automatically would have been reverted to a season-ending stay on the IR had he not added to the roster.

Elflein signed a three-year, $13.5 million deal with the Panthers this past offseason. He played in a pair of games before sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.

As Gantt notes, it’s unlikely Elflein reenters the fold as the starting left guard this Sunday in the matchup with the New England Patriots. Expect Michael Jordan to remain apart of the unit, one that allowed zero sacks in the 19-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

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Panthers injury updates: LB Shaq Thompson ‘very doubtful’ for Week 7

The Panthers likely won’t be getting back LB Shaq Thompson or LG Pat Elflein for Week 7.

The recovery of Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was always going to be a process. That process will like continue here through Week 7.

On Wednesday, head coach Matt Rhule all but shot down the possibility of getting one of his defensive leaders back against the New York Giants, stating Thompson is “very doubtful” for this Sunday. He has missed the past two games with a strained plantar fascia.

Tuesday’s six-player workout in Carolina included a pair of linebackers, Anthony Hines and Erroll Thompson. That could, perhaps, indicate the team is looking for some much needed depth in Thompson’s absence for the time being.

Left guard Pat Elflein also likely won’t be ready, as alluded to by Rhule. Rhule told reporters that Elflein suffered a setback “in the weight room” while on the comeback from his hamstring injury. That would, in turn, give Michael Jordan his first start for the Panthers this week.

Here’s how the official injury report returned on the day:

Injury Wed. Thurs. Fri. Game status
CB C.J. Henderson Shoulder Full
LB Frankie Luvu Biceps Limited
WR Alex Erickson Concussion DNP
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. Concussion DNP
LB Shaq Thompson Foot DNP
FB Giovanni Ricci Concussion DNP

Additionally, a fresh stint on the injured reserve for Brandon Zylstra, coupled with the concussions sustained by Terrace Marshall Jr. and Alex Erickson, could leave the offense quite short at the receiver position. That left the Panthers with just three wideouts on the practice field for Wednesday—DJ Moore, Robby Anderson and Shi Smith.

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