| All Otah can do these days is work out on the sideline. (US Presswire) |
In what was a minor transaction that turned out to have far-reaching consequences, the Panthers traded former first-rounder and oft-injured Jeff Otah to the Jets last week for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been surprising, then, that the guard failed his first physical in New York, meaning the trade is in jeopardy.
Now if he doesn’t pass his physical within seven days of the trade, it’s voided and Otah would return to Carolina. Which would be somewhat awkward, considering the organization has given up on Otah so publicly, but also could spell a major roadblock in his career.
And right now, Otah -- who’s dealt with injuries that have limited him to only four games in the past two seasons, including the bad knee he’s currently battling -- isn’t sure whether he’ll pass that physical.
“I’ve been moving around these past couple days, and it’s been getting better,” Otah said, via the NY Post.
Since failing his physical in New York, Otah has been working with team trainers on the sideline. But he doesn’t know when he’ll get his next chance to pass.
“Right now they’re just kind of rehabbing me and things are going good,” he said. “I’m just kind of doing what I’m told.
“It’s getting better. It’s not 100 percent. That’s what we’re doing right now. All this work on the field, and working with the trainers … they’re getting me ready.”
If he passes, he’d immediately begin competing with Wayne Hunter for the starting right guard spot. And if not, he’ll return to Carolina and the Jets will have to figure out another way to fix that ailing position on their offensive line. And the Panthers will have to figure out what to do with a prospect for which they once held such high hopes.
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