Panthers’ Kugbila’s string of bad injury luck continues

Carolina Panthers guard Edmund Kugbila will have spinal surgery Friday in New York, the latest in a string of health issues for the second-year player.

Kugbila, the Panthers’ fourth-round pick from Division II Valdosta State in 2013, said the surgery is to repair cracks in his spinal cord. He said he’s not sure if it’s a chronic condition or developed recently.

Despite the sensitive nature of spinal surgery and a history of injuries since he entered the NFL, Kugbila said he has given no thought to retiring.

“Not really,” he said Sunday. “I love the game too much. I’m not really focused on that.”

Kugbila, on injured reserve for the second consecutive year, has yet to play in an NFL exhibition or regular-season game.

Friday’s surgery, which will be performed by spinal specialist Paul McCormick, will be Kugbila’s fourth since the spring of 2013. He had arthroscopic surgery in May to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

After being sidelined with a strained hamstring early in training camp last year, he re-injured his knee in August and had reconstructive surgery in September on the posterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

When the knee began swelling during rehab, Kugbila had minor, clean-out surgery.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said recently Kugbila has worked hard in his various rehabs, but has been a victim of bad luck.

“It’s all right,” Kugbila said. “God’s got me.”

Injury update: Fourteen Panthers sat out for various injuries or rest, and the most concerning to coach Ron Rivera was rookie safety Tre Boston.

Boston pulled his groin in his first practice of camp on Tuesday and has not been able to go since. Rivera said Boston is still “really sore” but added he will not need surgery.

Boston had surgery for a sports hernia shortly after the team drafted him.

Greg Hardy (shoulder) and Charles Johnson (hamstring) didn’t practice, but Rivera expects them back on the field Tuesday. Running back Jonathan Stewart (hamstring) will be evaluated Tuesday.

Receiver Tavarres King had sore legs and sat out.

Observations

Getting to know ...

TE Mike McNeill

Ht./Wt.: 6-foot-4, 240

College: Nebraska

NFL experience: Fourth year

The scoop: McNeill signed as a free agent during the offseason after spending his first three years with St. Louis. He was a blocking specialist with the Rams, with five career receptions for 36 yards. McNeill is one of six tight ends in camp, and is likely battling TE/FB Richie Brockel and second-year player Brandon Williams for one of the final spots behind starter Greg Olsen and No. 2 TE Ed Dickson.

Twitter handle: @Mike_McNeill82

Recent tweet: Hasta luego STL. Charlotte bound and ready to work! #GrindTime

This story was originally published August 3, 2014 at 9:14 PM with the headline "Panthers’ Kugbila’s string of bad injury luck continues."