9 Offensive Line Notes With Fantasy Football Implications

Carolina Panthers

Most of the situations discussed before are tiny little sparks of concern that could turn into something more.

The Carolina Panthers are a full-blown forest fire.

They started the year behind the eight ball after All-Pro guard Andrew Norwell left in free agency. But it has gotten only worse from there.

Right tackle Daryl Williams was the first domino to fall, dislocating his right patella and tearing his MCL back in July. He's expected to start the year on injured reserve, meaning he would be slated to miss at least eight weeks.

Amini Silatolu was expect to fill Norwell's slot at left guard, but he tore his meniscus in early August and had to get surgery. He is now week-to-week and uncertain for the opener.

That was all bad enough to cause panic, but then left tackle Matt Kalil had arthroscoppic knee surgery this week, meaning he's also week-to-week. He's the third starter up front to go down on a unit that couldn't afford any more losses.

The team does have 2017 second-round pick Taylor Moton to fill in, but he was projected to hold down right tackle after Williams got hurt. He was also competing with Silatolu at left guard before his injury. They need more than just one guy to fill these gaps.

Cam Newton has dealt with poor offensive-line play in the past, and Christian McCaffrey's preseason role has been simply massive. They could be fine at their current costs even with the injuries.

But Greg Olsen and C.J. Anderson are different stories. Both players are in touchdown-dependent roles, and those scores will likely be harder to come by with all the big men on the shelf. It's time to start backing off of Olsen in the sixth round, and Anderson in the ninth, until the health up front starts to trend in the other direction.