After undergoing an arthroscopic procedure in Florida less than two weeks ago, the Carolina Panthers have placed left tackle Matt Kalil on injured reserve – just a day after trading a seventh-round pick to the Detroit Lions for versatile swing tackle Corey Robinson. Kalil complained of knee soreness during training camp and went to visit Dr. James Andrews, who ultimately decided to undergo an arthroscopic procedure; general manager Marty Hurney said via the team website that the Panthers are placing Kalil on IR in order to “give him time to fully rehab the knee.”
Kalil was placed on injured reserve with the Vikings in 2016 and underwent season-ending hip surgery before signing a five-year, $55m contract with the Panthers ahead of the 2017 season. Players placed on IR after 4 PM Sunday are eligible to return to practice after six games and to game action after eight – which would mean the earliest he could return would be for the November 8th matchup with the Steelers.
With Kalil out, the Panthers are expected to start second-year lineman Taylor Moton at left tackle; Moton has started the past two preseason games at left tackle – the right tackle slot is more of a question mark: both Amini Silatolu and Daryl Williams have returned to practice, the team traded for Robinson and the positional flexibility of both Trai Turner, Brendan Mahon and Greg Van Roten, all of whom have played tackle, offer multiple options to start opposite Moton.
The Panthers depth chart currently lists Robinson as the backup at both tackle slots, versatility that Ron Rivera said was one of the reasons they traded for the former Gamecock.
While Williams, who wore a brace during practice, seemed to indicate he is ahead of schedule in his rehab, he didn’t go so far as to say he would be ready for Week 1; however, Amini Silatolu said after practice Sunday that he was back to 100% after surgery last month to repair a torn meniscus. Silatolu saw limited snaps at left tackle last season when Kalil missed time and could be a short-term answer while Williams works his way to 100%.
With Kalil moving to injured reserve, the Panthers have signed cornerback Lorenzo Doss to take his spot on the roster – this will give the Panthers five cornerbacks and nine offensive linemen on the active roster.
