Ikem Ekwonu's emergency appendectomy leaves Week 1 against Jacksonville in flux. If he can't go, Yosh Nijman would step in at left tackle, bringing 25 career starts and 3 in 2024 to Carolina's front. Ekwonu remains day-to-day, with healing timelines varying by individual.

Nijman’s presence could shape the Panthers’ protection and run game, while Adam Thielen’s target share could rise if protection tightens and the offense needs reliable quick-hit options. Carolina aims to preserve blocking chemistry for the Jaguars test.

Historically, Week 1 opens against Jacksonville carry significance for the franchise, with the 2003 and 2015 openers standing out as precursors to a Super Bowl run in those seasons.

Carolina faces a 53-man decision with the kicker spot unsettled and two promising rookies nursing injuries as cut day looms. Moton’s two-year extension locks in a steady left side, while Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen battle for scarce reps behind the top receivers. Week 1 against Jacksonville will hinge on how quickly Carolina reshapes depth and special-teams roles in the wake of preseason setbacks.

Expect rapid, post-deadline moves as teams juggle IR designations and reserve roles. Late changes can unlock sleepers or force risky bets in fantasy lineups, especially at WR, OL, and return duties. The opener against the Jaguars will act as a real-time gauge of roster construction and fantasy upside.

Live roster churn could create surprise opportunities for Panthers players in the early weeks, with depth-chart shifts potentially elevating a few players into fantasy relevance even before the first official Week 1 snap.

Taylor Moton’s two-year, 44 million extension locks in Carolina’s starting five on the offensive line through 2026, signaling a commitment to continuity as the Panthers rebuild their attack. At an average of about 19.4 million per year, Moton sits among the top-paid right tackles, underscoring the league’s premium on stable blocking. The move comes after Moton posted durability for eight seasons in Carolina, and a 2024 elbow injury limited him to 14 games with just one sack allowed.

With Moton anchor­ing the line, Carolina gains a rare edge in fantasy terms: fewer lineup changes up front reduce OL risk and can lift the entire offense. The extension also places Moton in a cohort of top-tier RTs—Wirfs, Sewell, Johnson, Tom, and Jawaan Taylor—marking a broader trend toward premium protection. Fantasy managers should view this as a sign that Carolina’s passing and running game could gain traction in 2025 thanks to improved protection and cohesion up front.

Durability and consistency have long defined Moton’s Carolina tenure, and the new deal reinforces that philosophy. The organization’s objective of keeping all five starters under contract through 2026 bodes well for fantasy ceilings across the offense, making Moton a reliable anchor and potentially lifting the value of weapons around him as Carolina builds momentum into the 2025 season.

Brian Robinson Jr. landed with the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth-round pick, vaulting him into the RB2 slot behind Christian McCaffrey. Robinson’s three-year track record shows solid grades and a career-best year last season, including strong yards after contact on a heavy workload. Minnesota’s interest in Adam Thielen, a move that could reshape opening-night plans with Addison suspended and Nailor injured, adds a veteran option in the short term. Carolina’s Taylor Moton secured a two-year, $44 million extension, stabilizing the Panthers’ right tackle spot and safeguarding their line as the team builds around its quarterback. The moves underscore how veteran depth and mid-round talent can shift weekly fantasy value and impact betting lines in August.

Two-year, $44 million extension for Taylor Moton with $40 million guaranteed locks the Panthers’ right tackle through 2027, underscoring Carolina’s commitment to stability on the offensive line. Moton has played in 129 games with 113 starts since 2017 and started every offensive snap from 2018-2023, logging 97% of the team’s snaps last season. That durability provides a reliable anchor for Bryce Young and the Panthers’ blocking scheme.

The deal signals a focus on protecting the quarterback and sustaining the run game as Carolina builds around Young. For fantasy players, Moton’s retention should bolster the offense’s floor by preserving Young’s pocket and improving running lanes, while giving the front office more cap flexibility for future adjustments. This move cements a core piece of the line and sets a baseline for the Panthers’ blocking identity in coming seasons.

Moton’s loyalty to Carolina, the one franchise he has played for, reinforces a philosophy of stability up front. The extension also gives Carolina room to maneuver other needs in the near term while maintaining a strong blocker at a premium position. In short, Carolina strengthens its blocking foundation as it pursues growth around its young quarterback and evolving skill corps.