Rookie quarterback Bryce Young is set to have a harder time running the Carolina Panthers offense in the early part of the season after an injury update given on a starting offensive lineman Wednesday.
Young had several wide receivers battling injury in Week 1. That didn’t help the Panthers in their 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. Now Young will have to worry about the people upfront protecting him.
The Carolina Panthers lost an offensive lineman to IR
Brady Christensen (70) of the Carolina Panthers stops to sign gear.
According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, starting offensive guard Brady Christensen has been placed on injured reserve. He suffered a biceps injury late in the game against the Falcons. Christensen played all 77 snaps for the Panthers in the loss.
Injury updates:
— #Panthers starting guard Brady Christensen was placed on IR.
— #Falcons CB Jeff Okudah (foot) and Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh) both will practice today.— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 13, 2023
Bryce Young’s protection gets even weaker
Losing Christensen won’t help an offensive line that was ranked 20th by Pro Football Focus for their pass-blocking in Week 1.
According to Darin Gannt with the Panthers, the team has a few options to replace Christensen:
“Rookie Chandler Zavala started at right guard last week but spent most of his college career on the left at N.C. State (including time next to now-teammate Ikem Ekwonu).
So moving him seems intuitive, but they have options, including Cade Mays, Calvin Throckmorton, and Nash Jensen, while they wait on Austin Corbett to return from the physically unable to perform list.”
Whatever way they go, it’s not an ideal situation for Young or the Panthers.
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