SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) Once considered a rebuilding project, the Carolina Panthers' offensive line has become a concern as injuries mount.
Two Carolina starters Tutan Reys and Matt Willig were carted off the field Sunday.
Reyes was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle, and Willig with a bruised knee. The exact extent of the injuries will be known after medical tests, coach John Fox said.
''These could be very minor, so it's hard to comment on them until I know what the prognosis is,'' Fox said.
Reyes' injury appeared to be the more serious of the two. He left the field in obvious pain and was barely able to put any pressure on his left leg.
Although Reyes has never started an NFL game, he's had an outstanding training camp and was dubbed the replacement for Jeno James, who left in the offseason to sign a free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.
The defending NFC champs can't afford any more injuries on the offensive line.
Willig was Carolina's second-string right tackle, but was pressed into duty after free agent Adam Meadows' abruptly retired two weeks ago. Meadows had signed a five-year, $15 million contract in the offseason and was brought in to replace Todd Steussie, who was released. Right guard Kevin Donnalley also retired.
The Panthers also have lost defensive end Kavika Pittman for the season after he reinjured the same left knee that sidelined him for most of last season. Pittman tore his anterior cruciate ligament in practice Saturday will have surgery on Monday.
Two Carolina starters Tutan Reys and Matt Willig were carted off the field Sunday.
Reyes was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle, and Willig with a bruised knee. The exact extent of the injuries will be known after medical tests, coach John Fox said.
''These could be very minor, so it's hard to comment on them until I know what the prognosis is,'' Fox said.
Reyes' injury appeared to be the more serious of the two. He left the field in obvious pain and was barely able to put any pressure on his left leg.
Although Reyes has never started an NFL game, he's had an outstanding training camp and was dubbed the replacement for Jeno James, who left in the offseason to sign a free-agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.
The defending NFC champs can't afford any more injuries on the offensive line.
Willig was Carolina's second-string right tackle, but was pressed into duty after free agent Adam Meadows' abruptly retired two weeks ago. Meadows had signed a five-year, $15 million contract in the offseason and was brought in to replace Todd Steussie, who was released. Right guard Kevin Donnalley also retired.
The Panthers also have lost defensive end Kavika Pittman for the season after he reinjured the same left knee that sidelined him for most of last season. Pittman tore his anterior cruciate ligament in practice Saturday will have surgery on Monday.
