Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short will have season-ending surgery — again
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short will be placed on injured reserve and will need shoulder surgery to fix an injury he suffered against the Atlanta Falcons, coach Matt Rhule said Wednesday. He’ll miss the remainder of the season.
Short suffered a torn rotator cuff in 2019 and missed all but two games last year; however, Rhule clarified that this injury is not the same shoulder he injured last season.
“Our hearts break for him,” Rhule said Wednesday. “He worked so hard to come back this year. He’s such an integral part of this team, and he will continue to be an integral part of this team.”
Rhule said Short injured his shoulder in the third quarter of last Sunday’s game after hitting Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. According to film analysis by The Observer, Short hit Ryan with his right shoulder with 48 seconds left in the third quarter. He fell down on the shoulder, but the camera did not show what happened after the contact.
Short did not return to the game.
Before the season, Short said he was just ready to play football after nearly a year of rehab and getting back to health.
Short had six tackles in three games this season. He missed Weeks 2 and 3 with a foot injury. Short’s absence will be a huge loss for a Panthers team already struggling to stop the run. The Panthers allow 133.4 yards rushing per game, which is eighth worst in the league. They’ve also allowed eight rushing touchdowns, which is tied for third-worst in the league.
Short was one of the Panthers’ six team captains. He was lauded by Rhule for his leadership. Short, 31, is the oldest player on a Panthers defense that returned only four starters from 2019.
Short, who was drafted in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft, was expected to pair with rookie defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who was drafted No. 8 overall in 2020. He had become somewhat of a mentor to Brown, who is expected to be a big part of the Panthers’ future. Short signed a five-year contract extension after the 2017 season, which keeps him through the 2021. He is due to make just over $13 million this year and $14.5 million next year, according to spotrac.com.
With Short out, the Panthers will start defensive tackle Zach Kerr. Defensive end Efe Obada could also see some time at defensive tackle, as well as defensive tackle Woodrow Hamilton and rookie Bravvion Roy.
Other injury news
Defensive end Brian Burns did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. The Panthers ruled him out with a concussion in the second quarter of last Sunday’s game.
Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, who injured his ankle last Sunday, was also absent from practice.
Rhule declined to elaborate further on Burns’ and Gross Matos’ injuries.
Cornerbacks Donte Jackson (toe) and Eli Apple (hamstring) were both limited in practice.
This story was originally published October 14, 2020 at 4:07 PM.
