New Panthers CB sustains season-ending injury. What happens next?
New Panthers cornerback Damarri Mathis’s regular season is over before it even started.
The former Denver Broncos draft pick, who was claimed off waivers last week, tore an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Dave Canales. Mathis will miss the entire regular season with the injury.
According to Canales, the team has not decided on a corresponding move. Mathis will eventually be placed on the season-ending injured reserve and will undergo surgery to repair his knee injury, which happened in a non-contact drill.
Mathis arrived in Carolina last week as he was reunited with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The pair previously worked together in Denver in 2022 during Mathis’s rookie season.
Mathis is in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract. He is set to become a free agent next offseason.
The 26-year-old defensive back was expected to provide depth behind starters Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade. The Panthers still have Akayleb Evans and rookie Corey Thornton at the position.
Ekwonu ‘doubtful’ for Panthers in Week 1
Left tackle Ickey Ekwonu (appendectomy) practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. However, the team gave him a “doubtful” status heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ekwonu underwent an emergency surgery less than two weeks ago. He didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but the team is holding out hope for Ekwonu as they look monitor his status this weekend.
If Ekwonu can’t play, the Panthers will choose between veterans Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen at left tackle. Both veteran players worked at left tackle this week, and both have significant experience at the position.
Guards Rob Hunt (foot) and Damien Lewis (shoulder) did not appear on the final injury report and will play against Jacksonville.
This story was originally published September 5, 2025 at 1:34 PM.
