(Channeling my best cheesy, highly-energetic talk show host voice. Think Caesar Flickerman from the Hunger Games.)
Welcome ladies and gentlemen to this week’s version of America’s favorite game show: Guess which Panthers player goes on injured reserve next! Graham Gano, Kawann Short, and Chris Hogan are already on IR but they’re looking for company! Based on Thursday’s injury report a whole host of Panthers could potentially join them next. Let’s meet this week’s contestants and see if you can guess the next victim of the brutal sport of football!
The easy bets
Greg Little - Ladies and gentlemen, if you drive a Honda Accord, invest in index funds, and have never been to Las Vegas, then we’ve got the safest IR candidate for you! Greg Little sustained a preseason concussion, made his NFL debut in Week 3, then was placed back in the concussion protocol after Week 4. He’s now been ruled out for Week 5. There’s “little” risk in betting on Little!
Cam Newton - If you love funky hats and scarves on men but have concerns about a 245-pound quarterback running on a bad foot, then you’ll love Cam Newton! It doesn’t take an investigative reporter from the Daily Planet to realize Superman may have found his kryptonite in his lingering foot injury!
Already dinged up
Trai Turner - He missed Week 4, didn’t practice this week, and will now miss Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s asking a gimpy ankle to support 315 pounds. Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeee’s Trai Turner!
Donte Jackson - A groin injury caused him to miss Week 4’s game and he has been ruled out for Week 5. Groin injuries can linger with guys who rely on raw speed, so place your bet on the second-year cornerback becoming Donte “Inaction” Jackson!
Repeat offenders
Luke Kuechly - While Kuechly looks superhuman on the field, do you remember he sustained concussions in 2015, 2016, and 2017? But that’s not all - he also had shoulder surgeries in 2016 and 2018. He’s in on almost every tackle so don’t be surprised if the next IR victim is Luuuuuuuuuuke!
Curtis Samuel - In the 2017 calendar year alone he pulled the future IR trifecta - a hamstring, a back issue, and a broken ankle bone with ligament damage. Vote for Curtis Samuel whose on-field speed is only matched by his speed to the medical tent!
Drive him like a rental car
Christian McCaffrey - Unlike Ron Rivera, if you think 28 touches per game, including 37 last week, and basically never leaving the field is a taaaaaaaaaaad heavy, then you’ll love Christian McCaffrey!
(End of cheesy game show.)
In all seriousness, football is a brutal game and the men who choose to play it for a living understand the risk-reward of their profession. I genuinely hope that none of these men, or any other player, suffers a significant injury. I’ve always strived in my writing to empathize with players as they go through the injury-pain-surgery-rehab process.
But as players and fans alike, we know the deal. Injuries will happen. This week alone both Kawann Short and Chris Hogan went on IR. It’s an inevitable part of the game. The Panthers extensive injury report looks like they should be heading into Week 16, not Week 5. So with all of those caveats and with a grim sense of humor, which of the player listed above do you think will land on IR next?
Poll
Which player will be the next one on injured reserve?
This poll is closed
-
56%
Greg Little
-
21%
Cam Newton
-
10%
Trai Turner
-
4%
Donte Jackson
-
2%
Luke Kuechly
-
0%
Curtis Samuel
-
3%
Christian McCaffrey