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Thursday, Oct. 09, 2008

Injured linemen still a factor for Panthers

CHARLOTTE — Missing offensive linemen barely qualifies as news for the Carolina Panthers anymore, but it’s starting to get ridiculous. They worked Wednesday without center Ryan Kalil (ankle) in addition to tackles Jordan Gross (concussion) and Jeff Otah (ankle). It continues a pattern for the Panthers, who’ve only had their starting five together for about a half all season.

Their original group made it into the second quarter of the opener before Travelle Wharton went down, and when they got back together for the Atlanta game, Gross went out in the first quarter.

They’ve only finished two games with the same five that started twice, and those were the games backup Geoff Hangartner replaced the injured Wharton at left guard.

“It’s not new to us,” coach John Fox said. “We’ve kind of dealt with that a little bit through the early part of the season. We feel good about the guys who will be their replacements, and we hold out hope that all three of them will be back.”

Gross said last Sunday he felt he had “turned the corner” in his recovery, though he was still on the side with the training staff Wednesday. Likewise, Otah was holding out hope he could return for Sunday’s trip to Tampa Bay.

Otah said his problem is a high right ankle sprain, similar to the one on the left side he played through late last year. Still, he’s optimistic.

“Not sure, hoping this week,” Otah said when asked about his timetable. “It’s better, try to get out there by Sunday. I feel like there’s a chance. It’s improving fast.”

The problem that beckons is that the line — the position which values continuity beyond all others — has barely worked together at all. Otah said he’s got faith in backup tackles Frank Omiyale and Jeremy Bridges, but he knows there are no backup tackles beyond those two.

“Our offensive line is very strong right now,” the rookie right tackle said. “The only thing about me and Jordan being out is we don’t have any tackles after that, behind JB and Frank. But they did a great job last week. I feel confident knowing if we can’t get back that they’re going to do a great job.”

n ROSTER MOVE: The Panthers grew tired of waiting for wide receiver Ryne Robinson’s knee to improve, so they placed him on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.

Robinson sprained a pair of ligaments in his left knee on July 31. Though they hoped it was a short-term injury, it never recovered fully.

“It was one of those things where he was making some progress but just not getting over the hump,” Fox said. “Time is your best healer, and he just needs a little more time. We’ll just make sure we can get him rehabbed so he can get ready and get ready for next year.”

His case tracks along perfectly with safety Nate Salley’s last year. In the ironic twist, Salley was the guy who hit him in camp, causing the injury.

After Salley sprained his PCL and LCL last year during camp, it took them three weeks of the regular season to put him on IR. Salley never had surgery to repair the damage and seems back to full speed this year.

“We wanted to give Ryne every chance to get back, but it just wasn’t coming along,” general manager Marty Hurney said. “It’s going to take quite some time.”

To fill his spot on the roster, they found a similar player in Kenneth Moore. He was a fifth-round pick by Detroit this year and was on the Lions practice squad. The Wake Forest standout went to nearby Butler High and was ecstatic at being able to come home.

“To think you can be going back home it’s like, ‘Wow.’ I couldn’t believe it,” Moore said. “I’m here, and I’m excited about it. It’s good to be with guys I used to see on TV — I can actually talk to now.”

Moore was converted to running back at points for the Deacons, and the Panthers think he has ability as a slot receiver and a punt returner as well. If nothing else, he’s had success in his new home stadium. He caught 11 passes for 112 yards and was named MVP of Wake’s 24-10 win over Connecticut in the local bowl.

“To end my senior year with a win and in the Panthers’ stadium, back at home and to win MVP, it was great,” he said. “Hopefully, I can just carry on the success at this level.”

n EXTRA POINTS: In addition to the linemen, three other players were held out of practice Wednesday: Wide receiver D.J. Hackett (knee), defensive tackle Darwin Walker (thigh) and safety Quinton Teal (ankle). Linebacker Na’il Diggs (foot), was limited, his de facto day off each week.

daringantt@carolina.rr.com