CHARLOTTE — The Panthers invested in offensive line depth for a reason, and they may or may not need it in Week 1.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Wednesday that left tackle Ikem Ekwonu had an emergency appendectomy on Sunday, and his availability for the regular season opener in Jacksonville on Sept. 7 is in question.
Ekwonu came to the team facility complaining of stomach pain over the weekend, and after getting checked by the team's medical staff, a quick surgery was recommended.
There's a degree of hope he could return for the Jaguars game.
Canales called him "day-to-day, all the way up until the game."
Players coming back from appendix procedures have varying recovery times.
Then-Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was back on the field eight days after a procedure in 2022, while Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari missed three games after his during that same season.
Veteran backup Yosh Nijman would likely start in Ekwonu's place if he's not ready.
The 29-year-old Nijman has 25 career starts, including three last year at right tackle when Taylor Moton was injured.
Check out headshots and action photos of the Panthers' initial 53-man roster this season.
This is a 2025 photo of Ja'Tavion Sanders of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Mike Jackson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Rico Dowdle of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
This is a 2025 photo of Sam Martin of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Tre'von Moehrig of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Nic Scourton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Andy Dalton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
This is a 2025 photo of Jimmy Horn Jr. of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Xavier_Legette of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Coker of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Scott of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Lathan Ransom of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Trevor Etienne of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Chau Smith-Wade of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Akayleb Evans of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Chuba Hubbard of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Corey Thornton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Houston Texans during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Trevin Wallace of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Princely Umanmielen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Ryan Fitzgerald of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Demani Richardson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of JJ Jansen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Thomas Incoom of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Robert Hunt of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of DJ Johnson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Claudin Cherelus of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers for a preseason game on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Cam Jackson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Houston Texans during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Christian Rozeboom of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 21, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Helen McGinnis/Carolina Panthers)
This is a 2025 photo of Bam Martin-Scott of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Chandler Zavala of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Ausitn Corbett of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium in the first Preseason game of the 2025-26 season.
This is a 2025 photo of Cade Mays of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Damien Lewis of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Brady Christensen of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Taylor Moton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold camp Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Yosh Nijman of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Ikem Ekwonu of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Tommy Tremble of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of David Moore of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold camp on Wednesday, Jul. 30, 2025 in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Mitchell Evans of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of James Mitchell of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Houston Texans during a preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Brycen Tremayne of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold a joint practice with the Houston Texans Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 at NRG stadium in Houston, TX.
This is a 2025 photo of Pat Jones III of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers hold camp on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Turk Wharton of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of A'Shawn Robinson of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Derrick Brown of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
The Carolina Panthers play the Cleveland Browns in a preseason game on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
This is a 2025 photo of Jaden Crumedy of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of Bobby Brown III of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
This is a 2025 photo of DJ Wonnum of the Carolina Panthers NFL football team. This image reflects the Carolina Panthers active roster as of Friday, June 13, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
