During a practice drill on Sunday Panthers starting defensive end Charles Johnson injured his left ankle. The injury was so severe that he had to be carted off the field.
Coach Ron Rivera does not believe the injury is serious stating ''until they get a chance to take a look I really couldn't tell you what it was.'' Johnson is 29 and has spent eight seasons with the Panthers; he is one of their core pass rushers. In those eight seasons he has recorded 62 and a half sacks and has averaged eight in the last five seasons.
Johnson is currently in second place on Carolina's all-time sack list. If the injury does prove to be serious the Panthers could be in a lot of trouble. Johnson is the last and most experienced defensive end on the roster; his absence would create a gigantic void that would have to be filled by Mario Addison, Kony Ealy, and Wes Horton.
The Panthers already took a gigantic hit when they decided to release Greg Hardy leaving Frank Alexander as the starter opposite of Johnson. The Panthers did receiver a boost when Kawann Short returned to practice from a back injury.
