The Jacksonville Jaguars could hold out a handful of players in Week 1 but are otherwise in good shape. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers are trending toward being without their starting left tackle.
The Panthers just posted their final injury report for the season opener and slapped the questionable designation on left tackle Ikem Ekwonu. This doesn't come as a surprise when you take into account that he's recovering from an appendectomy.
Having said that, Ekwonu isn't the only Carolina offensive lineman who will likely miss the game. Guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, along with defensive end A'Shawn Robinson, were listed as questionable, meaning that the Panthers could be without as many as three hog mollis for the Week 1 matchup.
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Without Ikem Ekwonu, the Jaguars pass rushers can feast on the Panthers
Zach Roberts of Sports Illustrated took a look at the final Panthers injury report and came up with the alternatives in case Ikem Ekwonu doesn't suit up in Week 1.
If the former North Carolina State Wolfpack isn't good to go, Roberts argues that right tackle Yosh Nijman could get the start even though Brady Christensen is the immediate backup on the depth chart. This is due to the fact that Nijman has had the lion's share of the reps at left tackle.
On the other hand, backup center Cade Mays could also be an option, by virtue of having played a lot of ton and tackle in college.
Regardless of who lines up at left tackle for the Panthers if Ikem Ekwonu sits out the game, the Jaguars will have a favorable matchup. They have a pair of talented pass rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Both of them should be able to feast in the opener even if Ekwonu ends up playing. This, in turn, could spell trouble for Bryce Young and the Carolina offense.
Young will have Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Hunter Renfrow at his disposal. On the other hand, Jalen Coker will miss the game. Moreover, the Jacksonville secondary matches up favorably.
If Walker and Hines-Allen consistently bring the heat, Young may have trouble finding his receivers. Of course, this is on paper. The Jaguars must, in practice, show up and execute. Otherwise, it won't matter that Ekwonu will tentatively miss the bout.
The bottom line is that things are lining up for the Jaguars to beat Carolina in the opener. It will be up to them to take advantage of their matchup to earn their first win of the season and the Liam Coen era.
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