Cat Scratch Reader
After Jaycee Horn’s car accident requiring a number of stitches to his thumb and Nic Scourton’s collapsed lung suffered in a joint practice with the Houston Texans, the Carolina Panthers have yet another semi-bizarre medical situation this offseason as starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu underwent an appendectomy on Sunday night. While there have been instances of players having this surgery and still playing just 8 days later, it would be wishful thinking to rely on Ekwonu to be ready to roll for the Week One matchup versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in just ten days.
With a couple of options sitting on it’s newly minted 53-man roster, the Panthers have a decision to make. Should they go with the homegrown Brady Christensen whose versatility along the offensive line has been praiseworthy, but not enough to earn him a starting job? Or is veteran swing tackle Yosh Nijman, brought over during the 2024 free agency window when the team overhauled the offensive line room, the short-term answer at the position?
Head coach Dave Canales stated that Nijman is the first consideration for the role, but didn’t give a final decision and quickly mentioned Christensen as a possible alternative. If we’ve learned anything during Canales’ tenure, it’s that if he does not say it with certainty, it means the role is up for grabs.
Interestingly, Christensen led the team in snaps at left tackle over the preseason with 64 reps to Nijman’s 26 on the left. Meanwhile at right tackle the counts are mirrored almost perfectly, with Nijman leading the team with 64 snaps compared to Christensen’s 24 on the same side during the preseason. This distribution would usually lead one to believe that Christensen is the primary back-up at left tackle with Nijman in that role for the right side. Even last year when Ekwonu missed two games it was Christensen who filled in for both contests. When right tackle Taylor Moton was out, Nijman took over in his place
If Canales is to adhere to his own coaching philosophy, the position will not just be given to a player but will have to be won based on their performance so far during training camp, preseason and even during practice the week leading up to opening day.
According to PFF, Christensen graded out noticeably better as a tackle than Nijman during the preseason. Christensen finished with a 62.8 run blocking grade and 56.3 pass blocking grade compared to Nijman’s 61.2 and 38.4 grades in the same categories. Christensen gave up a sack compared to Nijman’s 0 allowed, but both players surrendered the exact same number of pressures (3 each) and penalties (1 each).
Whomever gets the start against the Jaguars, be it Ekwonu or one of the depth pieces, they’ll certainly have their hands full facing off with their formidable duo of Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.
