Panthers Star Suffered 'Significant' Injury In Rams Playoff Loss

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jan 10, 2026 9:00 PM ET

As gut-wrenching as the Carolina Panthers' playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams was today, the only thing that could make it worse was coming out of it with injuries that may threaten the team NEXT season.

Unfortunately, that could be exactly the case.

Speaking to the media after the Panthers' 34-31 loss to the Rams, Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced that starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu suffered a "significant" knee injury during the loss. Ekwonu went down early in the first quarter of the game and never returned.

To the team's credit, they did a decent enough job of protecting star QB Bryce Young, only giving up two sacks. But Young struggled with his accuracy, going just 21 of 40 for 264 yards, one touchdown and an interception.

Panthers HC Dave Canales told reporters that LT Ikem Ekwonu suffered a “significant” knee injury during Saturday’s loss to the Rams.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2026

Ekwonu has been the Panthers' starting left tackle since Week 1 of his rookie season. He was the No. 6 pick of the 2022 NFL Draft and has started 64 of 64 games, missing just four games in his career.

But if this is the kind of knee injury that takes more than six months to recover from, Ekwonu might not be 100% for the start of next season - and that's if he's even healthy enough to play the start of next season.

The injury to Ekwonu truly could not have come at a worse possible time in his career. The Panthers picked up the fifth-year option on his contract and were expected to begin contract negotiations on a lucrative extension for him. Those talks could be put on hold until Ekwonu gets a clean bill of health, but might not happen at all if his recovery sustains any setbacks.

Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu (79) on the bench in the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Outlook for 2026

Despite finishing with a losing record, the Carolina Panthers secured the NFC South title on tiebreakers and ended the longest playoff drought in franchise history. Young took major strides towards becoming a more consistent starting QB, setting career-highs in nearly all categories.

While they're still far from elite, let alone Super Bowl contenders, there's a lot to be excited about heading into 2026.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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