With Ikem Ekwonu’s recovery timeline uncertain, the Carolina Panthers must decide if rookie Monroe Freeling or veteran Rasheed Walker is the best choice to protect Bryce Young’s blind side.
The Carolina Panthers boosted the offensive line by adding Rasheed Walker in free agency and drafting Monroe Freeling with the No. 19 pick, but the team still has questions about the unit before training camp this summer.
The Panthers took Freeling to give the offense flexibility for the future. He's not a guaranteed Week 1 starter, but he may have a chance to compete for a starting spot this summer depending on the health of Ikem Ekwonu, who suffered a torn patellar tendon in Carolina's loss in the playoffs to the Los Angeles Rams.
Ekwonu attended Tuesday's mandatory minicamp practice, but did not participate in team drills. The Panthers are unsure when the 2022 first-round pick will return, but there is hope he can play at some point during the regular season.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales thinks Ekwonu is "crushing" his recovery, but there's only so much the offensive tackle can push through the injury this spring and summer.
"The athletic trainers are excited about his progress right now," Canales said, via the Panthers. "They're just continuing to progress him with different types of movement. Forward movement, a little bit of lateral movement, and just continuing to see how they can push the envelope a little bit, but in a smart way.
"So his spirits are high. As I check in with Ickey almost daily and see him, he's got a big smile on his face. He knows the work in front of him and he's up for the challenge."
Ekwonu has appeared and started in 64 games for the Panthers during his first four seasons in the league. Carolina will have some major uncertainty at left tackle until he's cleared to play, and it's unclear if he'll return at all for the upcoming season.
Walker, a 2022 seventh-round pick by the Green Bay Packers, could be a temporary solution for Carolina in the regular season, if Freeling hasn't developed enough to earn a starting job in Week 1.
Walker has appeared in 52 games and started in 48 during his first four seasons in the league, and would give the Panthers an experienced veteran to protect Bryce Young.
