Carolina Panthers: Daryl Williams suffers injury, carted off the field

The Carolina Panthers’ starting right tackle Daryl Williams was carted off the field on Saturday.

The Carolina Panthers could have to deal with their first significant injury of the season as starting right tackle Daryl Williams was carted off the field during Saturday’s practice. According to ESPN’s David Newton, the 25-year old had suffered an apparent right knee injury.

If this is a significant injury that will force Williams to miss playing time, this would be a tremendous blow to this offensive line and this offense as a whole. This time last year, some were questioning if he would even start or be replaced by second-round pick Taylor Moton.

The veteran did end up keeping the job and had a breakout year in his first year as the full time starter. He was even named to the Pro Football Focus 2017 All-Pro team.

"If much of the All-Pro this year comprises of names that everybody saw coming, one shock appearance is that of Panthers right tackle Daryl Williams. The franchise has been high on Williams for some time, but there was little evidence they were right on that opinion heading into this season, but they were completely vindicated over the course of 2017. Williams ended up with an overall PFF grade of 86.2, 16 points higher than his previous career-best and a mark that ranks as the best among right tackles in the NFL. He allowed more pressure than some right tackles, but he was rarely beaten quickly or decisively. He also had to deal with his right guard being injured and throwing his inside help into some chaos as the season wore on."

Williams was a fourth round pick of the Carolina Panthers in the 2015 NFL Draft. However, he didn’t see regular playing time until mid-way through the 2016 season when Mike Remmers was forced to move to the left tackle position in place of Michael Oher. While Williams did start 10 games, there was questions if he was the long-term answer.

Those questions were answered last year though, as mentioned early he really elevated his play and solidified the right side of that line alongside guard Trai Turner.

This injury couldn’t come at worst time for Williams as he is entering his final year of his rookie contract. In June, Charlotte Observer’s Joe Person reported the Panthers and the right tackle had begun preliminary talks of a possible contract extension. Those talks will presumably be put on hold now.

While the severity of the injury is known at this time, the coaching staff will likely need to considering their options at the position. The likely favorite to replace Williams would be second-year player Taylor Moton, who was considered a potential option to replace Andrew Norwell at left guard this year.