News
Email
Print
Starting five on offensive line not settled
Panthers say they will proceed on premise that injured Gross, Otah will not be available
AP Photo
Offensive tackle Jordan Gross of the Panthers was carted off the field on Sunday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Published: October 2, 2008
CHARLOTTE
The Carolina Panthers haven't formally ruled tackles Jordan Gross and Jeff Otah out for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The first official injury report won't be released until Friday, and for now Coach John Fox is terming their status "day to day."
But Gross and Otah didn't practice yesterday because of injuries suffered in last week's 24-9 win over Atlanta, and other players said they were preparing on the premise that neither would play against the Chiefs.
"We've got our work cut out for us, we've got guys who have got to step up on the offensive line," wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad said. "We've got two starters out. We've got to (tweak) our game plan this week, but that should allow us to execute better."
Gross suffered a concussion in the first quarter against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. He was at practice yesterday but didn't participate.
Otah suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter against the Falcons and was carted off the field.
There were indications before yesterday that the Panthers would hold Gross out at least one week as a precaution, as they have done with players who suffered concussions in the past. The hope remains that Otah will be feeling good enough by Sunday to play.
"You would love to have the starting five we started the season with," quarterback Jake Delhomme said. "Absolutely. But that's the NFL. We'll decide on which starting five and which way we'll go. But we have a lot of guys who have played and done some very good things for us. So it can only help us as a football team."
If Gross and Otah are both out, the Panthers will likely go with Ryan Kalil at center, Keydrick Vincent at right guard, Jeremy Bridges at right tackle, Geoff Hangartner at left guard and Travelle Wharton at left tackle. That's the way they ended up against Atlanta after Otah left.
A lesser option would be to use Frank Omiyale, who was inactive last week, at one tackle spot with Wharton moving back to guard.
Against San Diego in the season opener, Wharton suffered a knee injury in the first half and Otah went out briefly, and the Panthers shuffled the deck by putting Hangartner into Wharton's spot with Bridges subbing for Otah.
"That's the nature of the beast," Bridges said. "Injuries are going to happen, and that's where preparation comes in and guys have to step up and play when they have to play and perform well."
The Panthers were able to overcome the adversity last week by piling up 401 yards in total offense, as Delhomme passed for 294 yards and two touchdowns. Muhammad caught eight passes for 147 yards, Steve Smith caught six, and the running back tandem of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined to rush for 109 yards.
Williams said yesterday he had confidence that the offensive line would rise to the occasion again Sunday no matter how it is configured.
"We've got guys who can step up and play that position and not miss a beat," Williams said. "That's the satisfaction you have in the National Football League. There's not a major drop-off like there could be in college or high school. We've been fortunate to draft great guys and pick up guys off the wire who play good football. Guys are going to get dinged up. It's part of the game. And having the opportunity and the depth to bounce back from it is a testament to the training room and the coaches getting guys who can fill in."
■ John Delong can be reached at jdelong@wsjournal.com.
Email
Print
ADVERTISEMENT
N.C. Politics
Federal Politics
See community events or add your own! Click here!
Advertisement
