Carolina Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton suffered a fractured fibula during Sunday's 43-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will be out indefinitely, coach Dave Canales confirmed. Moton, 32, was injured late in the third quarter when he was sacked by Yaya Diaby while protecting quarterback Bryce Young, who was also pulled for backup Kenny Pickett in the fourth quarter after turning the ball over three times. First-round pick Monroe Freeling replaced Moton at right tackle, but the Panthers continued to struggle, allowing five total sacks and 21 QB pressures.
Tampa Bay scored 22 points off miscues, including 19 in the first half, and limited Carolina to 266 net yards. The Buccaneers leaned on their ground game, rushing for 258 yards and three touchdowns, while Baker Mayfield threw for just 64 yards. Special teams also struggled, with a muffed punt and a blocked extra point returned for a two-point score.
Young expressed disappointment, calling the performance unacceptable. The Panthers remain atop the NFC South at 3-3 but face a quick turnaround, traveling to Green Bay for Thursday Night Football in Week 8. Moton, the longest-tenured non-specialist on the roster, is signed through 2028, though 2027 is the final year of guaranteed money.
Young praised Moton's leadership, calling him 'the glue' in the locker room.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing