General manager Scott Fitterer and the Carolina Panthers knew what they signing into with Denzel Perryman’s two-year, $6 million deal this offseason.
They were getting themselves a very talented, relatively young and potentially high-impact linebacker at a low cost. But that low cost was low for a reason, and still might come at another price.
Perryman, who has missed prolonged periods of time over his now seven-year career with a history of knee and ankle injuries, is still nursing his way back from what the team is describing as a lower-body injury. Head coach Matt Rhule has already ruled out the possibility of a return to practice for the inside backer this week.
“I don’t think Denzel will be ready,” Rhule stated on Monday when asked of Perryman’s status. “I have not yet seen him. All indications are that he’s not ready yet.”
Rhule was hopeful, however, that fellow linebackers Clay Johnston and Julian Stanford are closer to hitting the field to help stop the bleeding at the position.
“I think Clay Johnston will be ready to practice on Tuesday,” he said. “I hope Julian is. I think he has a chance to be.”
With Shaq Thompson and Jermaine Carter Jr. not dressing with the rest of the starters for this past Sunday’s contest against the Indianapolis Colts, the Panthers were particularly thin in the meat of their defense. The team had to turn to Josh Bynes, who was signed literally just four days earlier, to start at middle linebacker for the preseason opener.
Rhule also added that he’s not certain of the immediate availability of offensive lineman Matt Kaskey and cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Troy Pride Jr., who the team is still waiting upon MRI results for. Pride Jr. was carted into the locker room after sustaining a leg injury in the fourth quarter on Sunday.
Leave a Reply