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As expected, the Carolina Panthers will call upon their top rookie to hold it down for a veteran pillar.
On Tuesday, the team announced that right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung last month. The 10th-year lineman was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list and is expected to miss time into the regular season.
The immediate assumption, in light of that development, was that 2026 first-round pick Monroe Freeling would take over for Moton in the starting lineup. Well, that assumption was confirmed by president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan on Wednesday.
"I think we'll be covered there. We feel good about it," Morgan told reporters during his pre-training camp presser. "I know T-Mo will definitely support Monroe there at right tackle and teach him all he knows."
Freeling, this year's 19th overall selection, was initially expected to compete at left tackle in place of another injured starter—Ikem Ekwonu. Instead, Moton's absence will move him over to the right side—where he recorded 257 snaps as a Georgia Bulldog between 2023 and 2025.
"I know what Monroe's made of," Morgan added. "He's a competitor, he's super smart, he's gonna go out there and attack this thing and we have full confidence in him."
Morgan also confirmed that fifth-year veteran Rasheed Walker, who signed a one-year deal with Carolina this past spring, will man the blindside. Walker started at left tackle for the Green Bay Packers in each of the last three seasons.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers confirm new plans for 2026 1st-round pick Monroe Freeling
