Carolina Panthers lose their only kicker to injury during warmups before Bills game
.JPG "Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez (5) is helped off the field after an apparent injury during practice before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus )")
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Panthers at Bills
Expanded coverage of the Panthers’ Week 15 NFL game
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Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez suffered an injury during warmups Sunday ahead of their game against the Bills at Highmark Stadium. He had to be helped off the field by long snapper J.J. Jansen and a trainer.
Gonzalez collapsed to the ground after he attempted a field goal in warm-ups. He was later ruled out by the Panthers with a right quad injury.
Carolina lost, 31-14.
The Panthers don’t have another kicker on the roster. They did not attempt to kick a point-after attempt or a field goal Sunday, instead going for two after both touchdowns; wide receive Brandon Zylstra handled kickoff duties.
Gonzalez is the Panthers’ most consistent player. He handled kickoffs and kicking duties. He has made his last 17 field goal attempts, is 20 of 22 on field-goal attempts this season and 22 of 23 on extra-point attempts.
Punter Lachlan Edwards, linebacker Frankie Luvu, running back Reggie Bonnafon and Zylstra were all seen practicing kickoffs before the game. Edwards practiced short field goals.
Zylstra and backup quarterback P.J. Walker practiced extra-point attempts.
This story was originally published December 19, 2021 at 11:58 AM.
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