Key Injury Updates

[MHS831]

All I can say is "per source" because I was told some information (not "Breaking News" Juan) from someone close to the situation that I do not think is confidential, but I think the person did not want his/her name affiliated with it because it was slightly opinionated or speculative at times.   I do not want to say anything to misrepresent what was discussed and I will not quote them or mention an opinion they shared--only how what they shared impacted my thinking. As I said, most is common knowledge about which I figured there was more to it that we knew already.  That was not necessarily the case.

Xavier Legette--Legette never said he was going to have surgery on his wrist at the end of the season; he said that he might have to have surgery.  He also stated that he had been concerned with the wrist since 2021, if you recall.  Apparently, there was no issue that requires surgery, based on my interpretation of the fact that he said "might" and never had the surgery.  As for the foot, if you recall Legette missed a few days with a foot injury during camp and we never heard another word about it.  Was the reason for his surgery based on that injury?  There is no information to suggest that these two injuries are related.  The cause of the foot injury remains a mystery, but the wrist mystery seems to be solved.

Taylor Moton--Moton missed games this year due to a knee that has been giving him trouble for some time.  At his age, there are several reasons they may not extend him.  It is likely that the Panthers want to see how he does for a season before making a decision on Moton, but at his age, it seems (to me) to be unlikely that he will  get a third contract with the Panthers unless his knee fully recovers.  It is probable that they will address depth at T, possibly to groom a RT for 2026.

I am going to start looking at right tackles in the draft and free agency, but most likely, the draft.   Probably day 3, but the reason I inquired about Moton is based on an expectation that OTs could be available at #8 and if his knee is shot, RT becomes your new priority.  I did not get that vibe--instead, the feeling I got was that the Panthers will probably not extend Moton and opt to take a "wait and see" approach.  If my thinking is correct, Moton's $31m cap hit will be absorbed in 2025.  In 2026 Moton is a free agent, and I do not see them re-signing him despite still having $4.8m cap hit. 

It would be smart, with 9 picks (6 on day 3) to sign a RT or draft a raw RT to groom for a season.  It is my impression, based on the facts, that Moton is entering his final year as a Panther unless his knee improves.  Still, the articles I have read describe the average NFL  linemen start declining at 32.  Moton will be 32.  I also know that lingering knee issues in big men at his age are more likely to be based on the wear and tear over the years than something that will heal. 

About Legette again--why tell the press that you might have to have surgery?  It seems to me that he is possibly making excuses.  Dawgs don't make excuses. To me, telling the press about non-serious injuries is not something the best do.  In January, everyone is banged up.

 

Summary:  Legette will not be having wrist surgery.  No idea why he had foot surgery.  Moton is probably in his last year and the Panthers will likely watch the knee and postpone making any decisions about 2026 or beyond.

Edited 3 hours ago by MHS831

[mrcompletely11]

Why didn't you ask about the foot surgery?  

Edited 2 hours ago by mrcompletely11

[Waldo]

Leggette was always a BS pick. His college stuff was NFL meh. Likable guy but whatever.

Good to see them absorbe Moton this year. Continuing on like it's a stacked team and having to hide cap when it's not has been ridiculous lately. I hope h has enough left for one more year if not many more. I just never betting on big guys getting over injuries anymore even if I eant to see it.

[MHS831]

17 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Why didn't you ask about the foot surgery?  

I did.  He simply said s/he had no knowlege of it.  Said he had the injury in camp and sat for a few days--then said there was an announcement that he had foot surgery and nobody knows if it is related to the camp injury or not.  This person should know, but didn't.  The source is a journalist friend of mine but seemed a bit frustrated that the details have not been released (at least s/he did not have the details at the time).

[MHS831]

27 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Leggette was always a BS pick. His college stuff was NFL meh. Likable guy but whatever.

Good to see them absorbe Moton this year. Continuing on like it's a stacked team and having to hide cap when it's not has been ridiculous lately. I hope h has enough left for one more year if not many more. I just never betting on big guys getting over injuries anymore even if I eant to see it.

This person is one of many who cover the Panthers and it seems they are very tight lipped right now.  I wonder if it is based on Legette announcing to the world last year that the Panthers told him they were going to draft him--then we move up to get him---That is kinda embarrassing.   As much as Moton's contract is going to hurt, it is the right play.  I was wondering if he was done (and they have not announced it) or if they might be trying to trade him before it becomes a bigger issue.  I left with the feeling that he is not done and there is no talk of trading him or extending him.  S/he did say that they are going to watch him for a year before making a decision.  If that is the case, I am like you--he is not going to heal at 32 and 330 lbs.  This is his last season in Carolina, based on my interpretation of the conversation.

Edited 2 hours ago by MHS831

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

This person is one of many who cover the Panthers and it seems they are very tight lipped right now.  I wonder if it is based on Legette announcing to the world last year that the Panthers told him they were going to draft him--then we move up to get him---That is kinda embarrassing.   As much as Moton's contract is going to hurt, it is the right play.  I was wondering if he was done (and they have not announced it) or if they might be trying to trade him before it becomes a bigger issue.  I left with the feeling that he is not done and there is no talk of trading him or extending him.  S/he did say that they are going to watch him for a year before making a decision.  If that is the case, I am like you--he is not going to heal at 32 and 330 lbs.  This is his last season in Carolina, based on my interpretation of the conversation.

Makes me think OT might be on the menu at 8. I wouldn't hate it.

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, kungfoodude said:

Makes me think OT might be on the menu at 8. I wouldn't hate it.

I wonder.  If the Eagles have proven anything, it is long-term approaches to the trenches can pay off.  It sounded to me that they are going with Moton, but he is a question mark to some degree. What do we have behind Moton?  If our season hangs on Moton's knee, then it could sway priorities.

I think people think of the draft incorrectly--we look at it to fill immediate needs, when only 2 or 3 players drafted start during the rookie season (on average).  They develop on the run.  We give 4-year contracts to address current needs, and that is fine, but going after immediate needs can cause you to leave BPA on the table. 

I do think we draft a T and I would assume Moton's knee would indicate when.

[Waldo]

10 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

Makes me think OT might be on the menu at 8. I wouldn't hate it.

Honestly a trade back with a rt and an extra 2nd for that teir of D players sounds best end case if he is that messed up. In this draft I don't get it at 8th. LT yes but not RT. Looks like a great draft to pick up extra 2nds and early 3rds.

[kungfoodude]

10 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I wonder.  If the Eagles have proven anything, it is long-term approaches to the trenches can pay off.  It sounded to me that they are going with Moton, but he is a question mark to some degree. What do we have behind Moton?  If our season hangs on Moton's knee, then it could sway priorities.

I think people think of the draft incorrectly--we look at it to fill immediate needs, when only 2 or 3 players drafted start during the rookie season (on average).  They develop on the run.  We give 4-year contracts to address current needs, and that is fine, but going after immediate needs can cause you to leave BPA on the table. 

I do think we draft a T and I would assume Moton's knee would indicate when.

If we keep BC, we have at least a backup option. We need OT depth anyway.

[MHS831]

25 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Honestly a trade back with a rt and an extra 2nd for that teir of D players sounds best end case if he is that messed up. In this draft I don't get it at 8th. LT yes but not RT. Looks like a great draft to pick up extra 2nds and early 3rds.

I do not know to what degree the positions are different now, but I watched or read something that was very interesting.  If you think about the best pass rushers in the NFL now, most play on the defensive left side.  Crosby, Watt, Garrett, Bosa, to name a few.  Watt said that even though he is not rushing the blind side, the ball is closer to him and he can strip it easier.  Regardless, the top edge rushers in the NFL attack the RT, so there is the beginning of a shift to put more emphasis on the RT.  Here is an article from 2023 that describes it.

https://www.hogshaven.com/2023/4/16/23681579/have-right-tackles-become-just-as-important-as-left-tackles-in-the-nfl

[MHS831]

26 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

If we keep BC, we have at least a backup option. We need OT depth anyway.

It will be interesting to see if he draws interest.

[mrcompletely11]

40 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Honestly a trade back with a rt and an extra 2nd for that teir of D players sounds best end case if he is that messed up. In this draft I don't get it at 8th. LT yes but not RT. Looks like a great draft to pick up extra 2nds and early 3rds.

everyone keeps saying trade back but it takes two to tango and from what I gather the only guy that would warrant someone potentially to move up would be tet.  So we are a bit limited there

[Johnstonny]

1 hour ago, Waldo said:

Leggette was always a BS pick. His college stuff was NFL meh. Likable guy but whatever.

Good to see them absorbe Moton this year. Continuing on like it's a stacked team and having to hide cap when it's not has been ridiculous lately. I hope h has enough left for one more year if not many more. I just never betting on big guys getting over injuries anymore even if I eant to see it.

This years picks hopefully will be in line to make us better...I'll reserve the day after day 2 to bitch.

[Waldo]

51 minutes ago, kungfoodude said:

If we keep BC, we have at least a backup option. We need OT depth anyway.

I don't want BC really. Dude has had tons of chances and I hope we aren't the team to overpay. We need depth and that's why I hope it's a trade back. RT and C are not strong spots long term and could actually be weaknesses faster.

I think I would keep Ickey at LT and see if anyone trades up if a LT is there at our pick. People here didn't want to trade back very far but so far it but if it gave is more ammo in the 2nd and early 3rd I would be thrilled. So far but still.