Panthers lose kicker Zane Gonzalez to 'significant' injury suffered on sidelines
Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez suffered a "significant, long-term" groin injury Friday night during what appeared to be a routine warmup on the sideline in preseason, coach Matt Rhule told reporters Saturday.
Gonzalez, 27, took a practice kick on the sideline before crumpling to the ground. He was later carted off the field.
Carolina signed the former Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals kicker in September of last season. Gonzalez had a career-best year with the Panthers, making 20 of his 22 field-goal attempts on the year and all but one of his 23 extra-point tries. His only two missed field goals of the season were from 54 and 55 yards out.
In addition to Gonzalez going down with an injury in the preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills, the Panthers also saw quarterback Sam Darnold and defensive tackle Derrick Brown go down with injuries. Darnold avoided disaster with a high-ankle sprain diagnosis, while Brown suffered a minor strain.
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