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8h ago

Panthers' Ickey Ekwonu Has Emergency Appendectomy, Week 1 Status Uncertain

Carolina lists him day-to-day, with veteran Yosh Nijman first in line at left tackle.

Ikem Ekwonu #79 of the Carolina Panthers is introduced prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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Overview

  • Head coach Dave Canales confirmed Wednesday that Ekwonu underwent emergency surgery after reporting stomach pain over the weekend.
  • Canales said Ekwonu’s availability will be evaluated daily up to the Sept. 7 opener at Jacksonville and expressed hope he could return by game weekend.
  • Yosh Nijman will take the first-team snaps until Ekwonu is cleared, with Brady Christensen also getting work and practice-squad tackle Brandon Walton in the mix.
  • Recent NFL precedents for appendectomy recovery vary, including Minkah Fitzpatrick returning in eight days and David Bakhtiari missing three games.
  • The situation affects protection plans for quarterback Bryce Young, though the team has emphasized Ekwonu’s long-term importance after picking up his option.