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The Carolina Panthers' offensive line might start Sunday's game with the Kansas City Chiefs the same way it finished against Atlanta last week: A patchwork group.
Coach John Fox said Friday that left tackle Jordan Gross, who suffered a concussion against the Falcons, will miss the Kansas City game. Rookie right tackle Jeff Otah, who sprained his ankle in the Atlanta game and didn't practice this week, is doubtful for the Chiefs, whose defense allows 379.3 yards per game (29th in the NFL).
Fox said Otah would continue to be day-to-day for Kansas City and didn't say who would replace Gross, who will miss the first game of his six-year NFL career. Gross has started 84 straight regular-season games, second-longest streak in franchise history.
If Otah were not to play, a possible lineup along the offensive line could be Jeremy Bridges (right tackle), Keydrick Vincent (right guard), Ryan Kalil (center), Travelle Wharton (left guard) and Frank Omiyale (left tackle).
Bridges, who would replace Otah, has started 35 games in his five-year career.
Omiyale, a fourth-year player out of Tennessee Tech who has never started a game in the NFL, would start for Gross.
Omiyale was drafted in the fifth round of the 2005 draft by Atlanta.
He was picked up by the Panthers as a free agent in 2007, but was on the team's inactive list for every game.
“He's got the athletic tools,” Fox said of the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Omiyale. “He's got good feet and good body control for a big man. A lot of guys don't get opportunities, so whether it's for Frank or whomever, you need to make the most of it.”
Cornerback Ken Lucas (ankle) and Ryne Robinson (receiver/returner) both practiced Friday and are questionable for Sunday.
