The Carolina Panthers may be getting a boost back on offense, and Brady Christensen looks first in line.
Head coach Dave Canales said Monday afternoon that the team plans to open Christensen’s 21-day practice window. Christensen has been on injured reserve since the start of the season with a hamstring issue, but Canales made it clear the lineman is ready to get back on the field.
"He's healthy, he's strong, he's fit, he's ready to go," Canales stated. "But we gotta see some football under his belt here. So that'll be a good addition to the group to evaluate where he can help us, potentially."
That group could use the help. Carolina’s offensive line was under siege in Thursday night’s 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers, with quarterback Bryce Young pressured on nearly half of his dropbacks and sacked six times.
Christensen’s value comes from his flexibility. The former third-round pick has taken snaps at every spot on the offensive line over his five NFL seasons, which gives the Panthers options as they try to stabilize things up front.
Canales also addressed the status of running back Jonathon Brooks and wide receiver Xavier Legette, both of whom have been out with groin and knee injuries, respectively.
"We're considering all those as well," he said about the prospect of Brooks and Legette also being designated to return to practice. "Right now, Brady comes back to us probably in the best spot, in terms of that group.
So, we'll start it with Brady. We're still evaluating the rest of the guys to figure out when that window will be."
Brooks and Legette have not played since Carolina’s Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
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