Panthers rule OT Michael Oher out for Sunday with post-concussion symptoms

The Carolina Panthers placed left tackle Michael Oher in the concussion protocol Friday and ruled him out of Sunday’s game at Atlanta, a jarring, late-week development for an offense struggling with its pass protection.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Oher came to Bank of America on Friday morning complaining of post-concussion symptoms. He met with trainer Ryan Vermillion, was evaluated by a doctor and placed in the protocol.

With Oher out, the Panthers are expected to shift right tackle Mike Remmers to the left side and give second-year player Daryl Williams his first career start at right tackle.

Oher began experiencing headaches after the San Francisco game on Sept. 18 but apparently tried to play through them, according to a source.

After playing all 83 snaps against San Francisco, Oher had his worst game in two seasons with Carolina in last week’s 22-10 loss to Minnesota.

He gave up three of the eight sacks allowed on Cam Newton and also had a holding penalty. Oher played all 77 offensive snaps against Minnesota and was lucid when he spoke with reporters after the game.

Rivera said he did not know how or when Oher sustained the concussion.

“I was told when I came in (Friday) morning. Ryan Vermillion came up to me and told me Michael had come in and was complaining of symptoms,” Rivera said Friday afternoon. “So he sat him down and did whatever the first steps of the protocol are and contacted the doctors, came back and told me he’s in the protocol and he’s seeing the doctors right now. So we’ll go from there.”

Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said the team would have no further update on Oher.

Denver still being discussed

The Panthers’ medical staff remains under review for its handling of Newton following the last of four second-half hits to the head he took in a Week 1 loss at Denver.

The NFL and NFL Players Association announced three weeks ago they were launching investigations to determine whether the Panthers’ medical team, as well as the independent doctors and spotters at the game, properly followed the league’s game day concussion protocol.

They are the first reviews since the league and players union announced in July a new policy to enforce the game day protocol and discipline teams that violate it.

Newton, the reigning league MVP, was allowed to stay in the game for the Panthers’ potential game-winning drive after taking a violent hit by Broncos safety Darian Stewart with 42 seconds left.

Newton was on the ground about 30 seconds before Vermillion helped him up while officials dealt with offsetting penalties.

Rivera said he didn’t know the status of the reviews.

“The only thing I can tell you is I have not been contacted or interviewed by anybody on either side. The only people that have questioned me have been you (media) guys,” he said.

Rivera also was uncertain whether officials had met with Newton as part of the investigations.

“I have no idea who they’ve interviewed,” Rivera added. “I have no idea if they’ve finished it or anything like that.”

Contingency plan

Meanwhile, the Panthers (1-2) were scrambling Friday to come up with a contingency plan along the offensive line. Rivera said the game plan was set, but coaches were meeting to tweak it in the wake of Oher’s injury.

Rivera said one scenario was leaving Remmers at right tackle and playing Williams or Donald Hawkins at left. But the team is expected to shift Remmers and insert Williams on the right side, according to a source.

The Panthers have given up 12 sacks through three games – more than any team except Cincinnati. The Bengals, who played Thursday night, have allowed 13 sacks in four games.

Asked about the depth at tackle, Rivera said: “We’ll find out. Feel pretty good about it, it’s who we have. We like the guys that we kept, obviously.”

NOTE: Defensive tackle Vernon Butler (ankle) and running back Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) are also out. Defensive end Charles Johnson (quadriceps) is questionable, but Rivera said he was “counting on” Johnson to play.

This story was originally published September 30, 2016 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Panthers rule OT Michael Oher out for Sunday with post-concussion symptoms."