The Carolina Panthers’ offensive line just took a tough shot early in the season, with the team officially placing offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles on injured reserve this Wednesday. This isn’t just a minor setback either; Charles was reportedly working with the first team, stepping into big shoes while starters Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis are out.
Carolina’s O-Line Depth Takes a Hit
Charles, at 27 years old, is now sidelined with a calf injury. For a guy who spent most of last season on the Panthers’ practice squad, only appearing in two games and getting 10 special teams snaps, this was his moment to prove himself with the starters missing. Now, that opportunity is on hold. This kind of early season injury to a player getting first-team reps can really test a team’s depth and force immediate adjustments.
A Former Seattle Presence Joins the Mix
To fill the void, the Panthers moved fast, signing offensive lineman Jake Curhan and defensive tackle Parker Petersen. Curhan, 28, is a name some of us might recognize, having a solid familiarity with coaching staff from his time in Seattle. He was signed off the Cardinals’ practice squad last year, where he appeared in 13 games and started one. With 53 career games and 12 starts over five seasons under his belt, Curhan brings some much-needed experience to that Panthers O-line. Petersen, an undrafted rookie from Wisconsin who was waived last week, also joins the squad to add a familiar body to the defense after defensive end LaBryan Ray’s retirement on Tuesday.
The Panthers are definitely scrambling to patch things up on their offensive line right now. Keeping that protection solid early in the season is critical for any team. We’ll be keeping an eye on Curhan and how this former Seattle-connected player fares as he steps into this immediate need.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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