Key Highlights
- Ekwonu needed help to get off the field and was eventually carted to the locker room.
- He did not return to the game. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn Sunday, head coach Dave Canales announced that Ekwonu suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee and will require surgery.
- The projected timeline to recover from such an injury is six to 12 months, which means Ekwonu will certainly miss offseason workouts and minicamps.
- But he could also miss part — if not all — of the 2026 season. Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu left their playoff game versus the Los Angeles Rams after eight plays.
- (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)[Get more Panthers news: Carolina team feed]Ekwonu, the team's first-round pick (No.