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Last season, the Carolina Panthers took a leap forward under second-year head coach Dave Canales, going from a team that won five games in 2024 to eight wins and a division crown. They were even just four points away from a victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs.
But now they face a bigger challenge, as one of their most reliable starters will now miss at least the start of the season while dealing with an urgent medical concern.
Panthers Set to Miss Starting Right Tackle
According to the NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, now starting right tackle Taylor Moton is experiencing blood clots in his lungs. He’s begun receiving immediate treatment, but now heads to the non-football injury list just one day before Panthers veterans are set to report for training camp. Moton started 15 of his 16 appearances with the Panthers last season but is now expected to be ruled out for Week 1.
How long Moton will be sidelined is unclear, and likely depends on how his body responds to the treatment. Though, as Wolfe reported, the “belief” is that the Panthers’ right tackle will be able to play at some point during the 2026 season.
Moton signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension with the Panthers last August. That contract kicks in this year, which means he has one season left on his deal. Moton has a salary cap hit of $21.1 million this season.
While Moton’s absence could be a significant one for an offense that needs all the help it can get, the Panthers’ front office has invested heavily into the offensive line. That includes signing tackle Rasheed Walker for a bargain rate at $4 million for the season.
The Panthers also used the 19th overall pick on Monroe Freeling in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, with Moton’s absence, both are expected to start at the tackle positions in Carolina, with Ikem Ekwonu expected to miss the start of the season, and possibly much longer as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in January’s playoff loss.
Related: Carolina Panthers Insider Says Team Could Ditch 25-Year-Old First-Round Pick
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