Carolina Panthers Continue Search for Offensive Line Stability
CHARLOTTE — On Nov. 5, 2026, the Carolina Panthers said they are still working to stabilize an offensive line that has been disrupted by injuries and penalties, a combination that has contributed to 11 sacks allowed in the club’s last two games. Panthers offensive line coach Joe Gilbert described the turnover and missed repetitions as a primary obstacle to building cohesion up front. The comments came during the club’s Week 9 practice at Bank of America Stadium as coaches assessed options ahead of the matchup with the Denver Broncos.
Gilbert noted that some interior continuity exists — left tackle Rasheed Walker, center Luke Fortner and right guard Robert Hunt have started all seven games — but the tackles spot has been unsettled. Incumbent tackles Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton began the year on the mend; Moton returned from summer blood-clot treatment only to suffer a broken leg that will end his season, and Ekwonu remains several weeks away from a recovery from a torn patellar tendon sustained in the playoffs. Gilbert said integrating rookie Monroe Freeling next to veterans takes time and that Hunt has shown improvement in recent weeks.
Run-game coordinator Harold Goodwin emphasized the tangible cost of the penalties that have plagued the unit, saying they have erased more than 200 rushing yards this season, including 51 yards taken off the board against Atlanta that featured runs of 17 and 18 yards by Chuba Hubbard. Goodwin urged fundamentals and discipline, instructing linemen to stop holding, keep their hands inside and avoid putting the offense in long down-and-distance. He added that penalties also force difficult play-calling decisions and undermine the team’s ability to stay ahead of the chains.
The Panthers reported some incremental returns and roster flexibility as they manage the group. While Damien Lewis remained out of practice after missing last week, the team got Corey Bullock and Torricelli Simpkins III back to full participation. The Panthers also opened the practice-window for versatile lineman Brady Christensen, who practiced fully this week as the club evaluates activating him; Christensen has started at all five line positions for the Panthers and has been used as an extra blocker, according to the team.
Gilbert held the group accountable for a performance he described as insufficient, pointing to the Packers game in which Bryce Young was sacked six times and saying protection is a shared responsibility among the offensive line, running backs and the quarterback. The coaches acknowledged their roles in improved protection schemes and preparation while stressing that the unit must show better, more disciplined play on game days. The Panthers enter Week 9 hoping health and technique adjustments translate to more consistent results.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Panthers possess some continuity inside with Walker and Fortner anchoring the middle, but the loss of Moton and the extended absence of Ekwonu have forced rotation that undermines cohesion and led to lapses in protection and run blocking. Penalties have had a measurable impact, with over 200 rushing yards negated and a spike in sacks over the last two games, signaling that technique and discipline must be immediate priorities. The practice returns of Bullock and Simpkins and the potential activation of Christensen offer practical depth and positional flexibility, yet the club will need both cleaner play and the gradual reintegration of injured veterans to restore consistency on the offensive front. The coming weeks should reveal whether coaching emphasis on fundamentals and increased repetitions among a more settled group can reduce penalties and improve both pass protection and the overall run game.