Panthers hit by major injury blow as Taylor Moton expected to miss regular season time

The Carolina Panthers received concerning news just days before the start of training camp after announcing that veteran right tackle Taylor Moton has been diagnosed with a blood clot in his lung. The organization confirmed Moton will miss time during the 2026 regular season while undergoing treatment, creating a significant void along Carolina's offensive line.

According to the team, Moton began taking blood-thinning medication shortly after the diagnosis and has responded well to treatment. Panthers medical staff continue to monitor his condition daily, but the franchise expects the 31-year-old to be unavailable for at least part of the regular season as he focuses on his recovery.

The Panthers also revealed that Pro Bowl cornerback Jaycee Horn will open camp on the Non-Football Injury list after suffering a cut on his foot that required stitches. However, the injury is not considered serious, and Carolina expects Horn to be activated shortly after training camp begins.

Panthers Face Offensive Line Questions Before the Season

Moton's absence comes at a difficult time for Carolina, which is already dealing with uncertainty at left tackle. Ikem Ekwonu is expected to miss at least the beginning of training camp as he continues recovering from the patellar tendon injury he suffered during the Panthers' Wild Card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams in January.

To address its offensive line depth, Carolina signed veteran Rasheed Walker during free agency earlier this offseason. Meanwhile, first-round rookie Monroe Freeling, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job while Moton remains sidelined.

Moton enters what would have been his 10th NFL season, all with the Panthers after being selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, he has been one of Carolina's most dependable offensive linemen and a cornerstone of the franchise's protection unit.

With training camp set to begin, the Panthers will now rely on their young depth and offseason additions to stabilize the offensive line. While Horn's absence appears to be temporary, Moton's recovery will be one of the biggest storylines to monitor as Carolina prepares for the 2026 NFL season.