Taylor Moton, the Carolina Panthers’ right tackle, is back at practice for the first time since June, an incredible return after what he called “scary” episodes of coughing up blood. The guy nicknamed “fun uncle” came back Tuesday, even on his birthday, which coach Dave Canales joked happens “every other week” for T-Mo. But this time? This return is no joke.
The Ordeal: “You Start Thinking The Worst”
This whole nightmare started last summer after Moton wrapped up an offseason youth football camp. He felt wiped out, took a nap, and then an unusual taste hit him. Things got serious when he started coughing up blood, landing him in the hospital not once, but twice. The diagnosis was a pulmonary embolism, a “multitude” of clots chilling in his right lung. Can you imagine? Moton himself said, “It was scary. You start coughing up blood, you start thinking the worst.” Dr. Nancy Gritter told him straight up: three months on blood thinners. And for a guy who’s only missed one game in 146 over nine years, that meant no football. Moton knew immediately, “no taking on bull rushes from Nic Scourton,” which to him meant, “no ball for me.” For four long months, while his teammates were out there grinding, Moton was walking the perimeter, coaching up the revamped offensive line, but couldn’t actually play. Talk about tough.
What His Return Means for Bryce Young and the Panthers
Moton’s absence wasn’t just a personal ordeal, it hit the Panthers hard. They opened the season without both their top two tackles, Moton and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who’s been sidelined with a knee injury. The NFC South-leading Panthers, currently 2-2, have definitely felt the pressure up front. Quarterback Bryce Young, despite battling through a league-high 47.2 pressure rate in his first four starts, has actually had a bit of a renaissance. The fourth-year signal caller went into the team’s Week 5 bye with 1,268 passing yards, putting him first in the league. Now, with Moton back, that pressure rate could plummet, giving Young even more time to cook. Coach Canales summed it up perfectly when talking about Moton: “As fun-loving as he is, there isn’t anybody that is more conscientious about their fundamentals and their technique. It’s why he’s been able to be so successful for so long.” That kind of dedication and skill is exactly what a young QB needs in front of him. Moton, surrounded by his teammates in the locker room, just reflected, “Thank God I’m still on this side of the Earth, right? It just makes you count your blessings.”
Next up for the Panthers is a Sunday game against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are 2-3. Moton’s return is massive, bringing back not just a veteran presence but an elite talent to a line that desperately needs him. Canales is confident we’ll be seeing plenty more “Happy Birthday, T-Mo’s” this season, and honestly, after what he’s been through, we’re just thrilled to see him back on the field.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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