Damien Lewis’ injury has forced the Carolina Panthers into scramble mode, and the team now has to figure out how to patch together the guard spot while he’s out for “a few weeks.” Lewis tore his UCL, and it’s possible he has already played his final snap of the 2026 season.
Corey Bullock is the current in-house answer. He replaced Lewis after the injury on Sunday, but he doesn’t exactly inspire a ton of confidence, which is why the Panthers should be looking beyond the obvious next-man-up move.
One possible route is a reunion with Kevin Zeitler, though that comes with complications. Reports say Zeitler is retired and would probably only return to play for the Tennessee Titans.
Still, Charlotte isn’t far from Nashville, and a Panthers team in a wide-open division could try to lure him back. He’s older, but the talent is still there.
Another straightforward option sits in free agency with James Daniels. He hasn’t retired, and signing him would be one of the easiest moves Carolina could make.
Daniels is available for a reason, but that was also true of Panthers standouts Darren Waller and Bobby Okereke. There’s at least a chance he still has something left.
Carolina also has a couple of practice squad possibilities that make sense on paper. Saahdiq Charles had a solid training camp, while Jake Curhan already knows the offense well. Curhan is a tackle who can move inside to guard, so neither choice is perfect, but both are workable stopgaps if the Panthers need a quick fix.
If Carolina wants to explore the trade market, the New Orleans Saints are an unlikely partner, but the need is real enough that the Panthers may have to be aggressive. Spotrac lists Cesar Ruiz as a possible trade candidate because his salary doesn’t line up with his production. The Panthers may not have the luxury of being picky right now.
There’s also Jacksonville’s Walker Little, who has played both right and left guard. He isn’t a natural fit, but he could help, and Carolina might have to send draft picks to get a lineman who could still matter after Lewis returns.
Houston presents another name to watch in Jarrett Patterson. The Texans aren’t exactly in a position to start handing out offensive linemen, but Patterson is viewed as a trade candidate because he’s mainly depth and not considered an elite performer. That profile could make him a low-cost option for a Panthers team that suddenly needs help everywhere inside.
In Other News...
Panthers Have A Tetairoa McMillan Problem They Need To Solve
The Panthers left Week 3 with another reminder that their passing game still has room to grow, and a big part of that conversation centered on Tetairoa McMillan. After building momentum in the early part of the season, the rookie wideout was much quieter against Cleveland, and the matchup with cornerback Denzel Ward went a long way toward explaining why Carolina struggled to generate enough offense.
McMillan drew only two targets and finished with one catch, a sharp dip from what the Panthers have come to expect from him. Dave Canales and Bryce Young both acknowledged the issue afterward, with the offense needing to find better ways to get McMillan involved if it wants to stay on schedule and avoid more days like this one. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers 1-2 Start Has Fans Arguing Over One Bigger Problem
The early part of Carolinas season has already produced three very different snapshots, and none of them have made the bigger picture any easier to read. A lopsided loss to Chicago raised immediate alarms on the defensive side, a 34-3 win over Atlanta briefly suggested a smoother path forward, and the 21-18 loss to Cleveland brought the discussion right back to the same familiar questions about how this team closes out games.
What has made the first month so frustrating is that the problems have not stayed in one lane. The defense has been under scrutiny, the offense has had trouble finishing drives, and even some game decisions have drawn fresh attention as the Panthers sit at 1-2. Bryce Youngs numbers through three games are part of the conversation too, but the larger issue is still whether Carolina can turn the flashes from one week into something more dependable before the season drifts further into uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]
Bryce Young Leaves Panthers Facing Two Big Week 4 Concerns
Bryce Youngs afternoon against Cleveland was a mixed one for Carolina, the kind of performance that left both promise and concern in its wake. He completed 26 of 48 passes for 291 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Panthers 21-18 loss, continuing a season in which he has already emerged as the teams top passing threat with 939 yards and seven scores.
The bigger issue came when Young was injured during the game and will now go through tests, even if the early word from the head coach is that he should be fine for the next one. For a Panthers team trying to build on its young quarterbacks progress, the uncertainty is a reminder that his development and availability are now tied tightly together, especially with Young still operating on his rookie deal after the club picked up his fifth-year option. [Read more 🡒]