Left guard was already a big question mark heading into this season for the Carolina Panthers. On Tuesday, the waters got even murkier when Carolina lost another starter on their offensive line due to injury. Amini Silatolu left practice today with what was later diagnosed as a torn meniscus.
Treatment for a torn meniscus after surgery is anticipated to be a six-week process. It is no guarantee that Silatolu would have won the starting job, but it doesn’t help an already thin and weak group up front.
After losing OT Daryl Williams to a knee injury, Panthers’ guard Amini Silatolu suffered a torn meniscus. He will undergo surgery Friday, and according to Panthers’ trainer Ryan Vermillion, "be evaluated on a week-to-week basis."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 7, 2018
Carolina Panthers Injury News: Amini Silatolu Suffers Meniscus Injury
Filling in at the left guard spot will now be undrafted rookie out of Penn State Brendon Mahon. Mahon has impressed throughout camp, but there isn’t a lot to hang your hat on until seen in live action. A four-year starter in Happy Valley, Mahon paved the way for Heisman candidate and second overall pick Saquon Barkley during the bulk of his career.
Fans can only hope that lightning strikes twice at the position, as it had initially four years ago with the emergence of undrafted free agent Andrew Norwell following an injury to Silatolu.
The Panthers begin the 2018 preseason on Thursday when they go on the road to face the Buffalo Bills. It’s the first meeting between the teams since Week Two of last year, a game the Panthers won 9-3. Kickoff from New Era Field takes place at 7 p.m. ET.
