Panthers coach Dave Canales confirmed that Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during Saturday's 34-31 loss to the Rams in wild-card round, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports.
The typical recovery timeline for a ruptured patellar tendon is six to 12 months, leaving Ekwonu's status up in the air for the start of the 2026 campaign. The 2022 first-rounder has started 64 regular-season games in four years with Carolina, including 15 starts at left tackle in 2025. Ekwonu is set to enter next season on a one-year, $17.56 million contract after the Panthers exercised his fifth-year option last April.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Logs full practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Ekwonu (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Ekwonu was held out of the Panthers' Week 16 win over the Buccaneers due to a knee injury. He is now on track to play against the Seahawks on Sunday and will likely reclaim the starting job at left tackle from Yosh Nijman.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Dealing with knee injury
Rotowire
Ekwonu (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
The fourth-year pro from NC State appears to have sustained a knee injury in the Panthers' Week 15 loss to the Saints. Ekwonu now likely needs to practice in full Thursday or Friday to avoid an injury designation heading into the Week 16 matchup against the Buccaneers.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Officially active Sunday
Rotowire
Ekwonu (appendectomy) is active for Sunday's Week 2 game against Arizona.
Ekwonu had to miss Week 1 while continuing to recover from an appendectomy, but he's progressed enough to suit up against the Cardinals. He's slated to start at left tackle.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Could return Sunday
Rotowire
Ekwonu (appendectomy) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cardinals.
The 2022 first-round pick from NC State was able to practice in a limited fashion all week for the first time since undergoing an emergency appendectomy in late August, which is a good sign for his potential availability Sunday. However, if Ekwonu isn't ready for in-game action just yet, Yosh Nijman will likely get the start at left tackle.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Won't play vs. Jacksonville
Rotowire
Ekwonu (appendectomy) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Ekwonu is still recovering from an emergency appendectomy that he underwent in late August, and his next chance to make his 2025 regular-season debut is Week 2 against the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 14. Yosh Nijman is expected to start at left tackle in Ekwonu's absence, per Joe Person of The Athletic.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Doesn't practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Ekwonu (appendectomy) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Ekwonu underwent an emergency appendectomy in late August. Head coach Dave Canales relayed Wednesday that Ekwonu is unlikely to play Sunday against the Jaguars unless the fourth-year offensive lineman has "a great day" during Friday's practice, per Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site. Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen have seen first-team reps at left tackle and are the top candidates to start in Week 1 if Ekwonu is unable to play.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Considered day-to-day
Rotowire
Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Monday that Ekwonu (appendectomy) is considered day-to-day, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Ekwonu was spotted working off to the side of Panthers' practice Monday, which could be a good sign for his availability in the team's Week 1 contest against the Jaguars. However, if the 2022 first-round pick is unable to suit up Sunday, Yosh Nijman is expected to step in and protect Bryce Young's blindside.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Hopeful for Week 1
Rotowire
Coach Dave Canales said Thursday he's "super hopeful" Ekwonu (appendectomy) will be ready for the Panthers' Week 1 opener against the Jaguars on Sept. 7, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Ekwonu underwent an emergency appendectomy last weekend and has 10 days to heal up in time for the regular-season opener. Yosh Nijman would figure to be next man up at left tackle for Carolina if Ekwonu is unable to play.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Status for Week 1 uncertain
Rotowire
Ekwonu is in jeopardy of missing Carolina's Week 1 matchup against Jacksonville after undergoing an emergency appendectomy this past Sunday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Ekwonu experienced abdominal pain over the weekend, and he was taken to hospital for an appendectomy after being examined by the Panthers' medical staff. Yosh Nijman would be the top candidate to start at left left tackle if Ekwonu can't play, though there's optimism that the latter will have enough time to fully recover from the procedure.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Gets commitment from Carolina
Rotowire
Ekwonu had his fifth-year option picked up by the Panthers on Thursday, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
The 2022 first-round pick has started all 49 games he's played in across three pro seasons. Ekwonu suited up for all 17 regular-season games in 2022 and '23 but missed two with an ankle injury in 2024. He appears likely to retain his starting left tackle role in 2025.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Ready for Week 12
Rotowire
Ekwonu (ankle) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Chiefs.
Ekwonu missed each of the Panthers' last two games due to an ankle injury, but he was able to practice in full Friday, suggesting that he's moved past the issue. Now that the 2022 first-round pick has returned to full health, he's expected to protect Bryce Young's blindside in Week 12.
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Panthers' Ikem Ekwonu: Will miss Week 10
Rotowire
The Panthers ruled out Ekwonu (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Ekwonu didn't practice at all this week leading up to Sunday's contest in Germany and will miss his second straight game after being injured late in Week 8 against Denver. Cade Mays is expected to make another start at guard with Brady Christensen kicking over to left tackle.
