A Panthers’ starting lineman will miss the NFL season-opener against Jets. Here’s why
.JPG "Carolina Panthers offensive guard John Miller (67) warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)")
Panthers starting right guard John Miller has been placed on the COVID/reserve list and won’t play in Sunday’s season opener, coach Matt Rhule said Monday.
Being placed on the list means Miller either tested positive for COVID-19 or came in close contact with a person who tested positive.
Teams typically do not disclose whether a person tested positive. But Rhule said Miller will be out for at least 10 days. He is the second player on the Panthers’ 53-man roster to be placed on the list. Linebacker Frankie Luvu was placed on the list in July.
Vaccinated players who test positive can rejoin the team, if asymptomatic, with two negative tests 24 hours apart, according to the NFL’s protocols. Unvaccinated players who test positive are out at least 10 days.
Vaccinated players who are close contacts can practice, and are subject to daily testing. Unvaccinated players who are close contacts are out at least five days.
Last week, Rhule said 67 of the Panthers’ 69 players, which includes the practice squad, were vaccinated.
Rhule said guard Dennis Daley will start in his place. The news of Miller’s status for Sunday’s game is a blow to the Panthers, who already had questions about their offensive line heading into the season.
But Rhule sounded excited about Daley’s opportunity.
“We feel like he should be starting,” Rhule said of Daley. “He has the skill set of a starter. A few things have caused him to miss some things, but he has his opportunity.”
“He should play really well.”
Rookie Deonte Brown will back him up. Daley, who is entering his third season with the Panthers, was originally drafted in the sixth round out of South Carolina.
He has been used in a utility role most, having played both left tackle and left guard. He practiced at right guard when Miller missed time at camp in August. On Sunday, he’ll play on the right side.
“It’s a blessing,” Daley said of starting.
The Panthers had three days off from Friday to Sunday after a week of practice. Some players went to their homes in different cities during the weekend. A number of players around the league were placed on their team’s COVID lists.
“We know that it’s something we have to deal with,” Rhule said of players potentially testing positive. “At the end of the day you can’t control the result, but you can control the process. We’re trying to make sure we do a really good job, and the guys on our practice squad have to be ready.”
Miller started in 14 games for the Panthers last season. He participated in most of training camp in August, but missed a couple of days with a minor injury after the joint practice with the Ravens. He played in the team’s final preseason game and was expected to play on Sunday.
Practice notes
▪ Rhule said if the season were to start today, Cameron Erving would start at left tackle, Pat Elflein at left guard, Matt Paradis at center, Daley at right guard and Taylor Moton at right tackle.
▪ He also said rookie Chuba Hubbard will likely start at kick return. Hubbard received the most snaps at running back during the preseason, and played fairly well.
Quote of the day
How excited is wide receiver Robby Anderson about the season-opener and playing in front of a full stadium?
“I’ve been working for this moment all year,” Anderson said. “I feel like an old bottle of wine that’s been preserving.”
Practice squad additions
The Panthers added three new players to their practice squad Monday, including two who are returning. The Panthers signed kicker Domik Eberle, guard Mike Horton and wide receiver Alex Erickson, completing their 16-man practice squad.
The Panthers practice squad now includes:
QB James Morgan
WR C.J. Saunders
WR Omar Bayles
WR Keith Kirkwood
WR Aaron Parker
RB Rodney Smith
S Kenny Robinson
RB Spencer Brown
CB Jalen Julius
G Aaron Monteiro
DE Frank Herron
C Sam Tecklenburg
TE Stephen Sullivan
K Domik Eberle
G Mike Horton
WR Alex Erickson
This story was originally published September 6, 2021 at 12:51 PM.
