CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have placed former first-round draft pick and starting right tackle Jeff Otah on injured reserve for the third time in four seasons.
Otah has been struggling with back and knee issues stemming from two prior knee surgeries. The Panthers decided to shut him down for the season to give him time to rest and fully recover, sensing he wasn’t getting any better. He missed last week’s game against Atlanta because of back problems.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney says Otah will not need surgery. Hurney says the Panthers want to “give him time to strengthen that knee as much as it can be.”
By the end of this season, Otah will have missed 35 games due to injuries while starting just 29.
Carolina hosts Washington on Sunday.
