Panthers RT Taylor Moton Diagnosed With Blood Clot in Lung
Carolina Panthers starting right tackle Taylor Moton was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung) in late June 2025, the team announced on July 22, the day before training camp opened. Adam Schefter reported that Moton is now expected to miss time into the regular season.
Moton, 31, has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury (NFI) list. He is reportedly on blood thinners and responding well to treatment, with the team's medical staff assessing him daily. No firm return date has been set.
How Bad Is This for Carolina's Offensive Line?
Pretty bad. Moton has been one of the more reliable offensive linemen in the NFL, starting 128 of 145 career games and grading as PFF's 14th-best offensive tackle among 84 qualifiers. He signed a two-year, $44 million extension last August.
But the bigger problem is that this loss is not happening in a vacuum. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoffs and is expected to miss most or all of the 2026 season. Carolina could realistically open the year without both starting tackles.
The team has options, but they are unproven. Rookie first-round pick Monroe Freeling (No. 19 overall, out of Georgia) was drafted to compete at right tackle and has been cross-trained at both spots. Veteran Rasheed Walker, signed from Green Bay, is in the mix at left tackle.
Fantasy Football Impact
Moton has no direct fantasy value, but his absence matters a lot if you are rostering anyone in the Panthers offense.
Bryce Young is the player to watch most closely. Young took a real step forward in 2025, finishing as a QB19 with a career-high 23 touchdowns. Offensive line continuity was a key part of that progress. Replacing both starting tackles with a rookie and a journeyman introduces legitimate pass-protection risk heading into 2026.
Tetairoa McMillan and other Carolina pass-catchers could also feel the downstream effects if the pocket becomes a problem for Young.
The Panthers won the NFC South in 2025 at 8-9, but the front-office optimism around that division title should be tempered given what is shaping up to be a significant reshuffling up front. Keep an eye on how Freeling performs in camp before locking in on Panthers skill players with confidence.
