CHARLOTTE — The Panthers know they have a lot of options on the offensive line.

They just don't know at the moment how they're going to deploy them.

With left tackle Ikem Ekwonu held out of practice Wednesday after last week's appendectomy, there's still some uncertainty about his availability for Sunday's opener against the Jaguars.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said they want to get Ekwonu more work on Thursday and Friday to see how he handles the workload before making a decision.

"He's got to have a great day on Friday, that's the goal right now," Canales said of Ekwonu. "We had him out there running, moving around a little bit today. Tomorrow he'll do a little bit more and then the hope is Friday to get him into an individual period, see him getting in a stance, move around, hit some bags, and do some things to be able to make that decision."

Canales did not specify who would take Ekwonu's place if he can't play, as both Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen have taken snaps at left tackle.

The good news is that both have been around, as part of a nine-man offensive line group that's carried over from last season.

"Whoever it is out there, it's a real luxury to have so many guys that have experience, have played snaps at different positions," quarterback Bryce Young said. "Brady and Cade Mays, Yosh has played a ton of games in this league. You have a lot of guys that, it's rare that you have such depth to where you have that full confidence, whoever it may be, so for me it's definitely a luxury. I'm grateful for that, and it speaks to the culture of the room."

Nijman has started 25 career games, including three here last year at right tackle. But going back to his days in Green Bay, he's been the guy who has to plug in on short notice, so this isn't necessarily anything new to him.

"I mean, just keep yourself ready to jump in," Nijman said. "Just going into the game, you don't know if somebody's going to hurt their leg or something like that, so that being said, I just got to stay ready.

"I mean, I've been doing it for a little bit now, so I think the biggest part about it is making sure that you know I'm mentally, physically ready to play."

Of course, the tackle position isn't the only one up in the air.

Left guard Damien Lewis was limited on Wednesday with the shoulder issue that's bothered him since the Browns' joint practice, and right guard Robert Hunt was also limited on Wednesday with a foot issue.

Canales said Hunt felt something in his foot, got some attention from the athletic training staff during practice, and resumed work.

"He went back in, had a couple plays, and we decided to shut him down for the rest of practice," Canales said. "We'll evaluate him this evening, this afternoon, and we'll have more information for you."