The Carolina Panthers cannot catch a break on the injury front.
This dates back to the end of last season, too. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu went down in the playoffs and still hasn’t returned. Right tackle Taylor Moton has also missed the entire season so far due to blood clots. Nic Scourton and Chris Brazzell II both went down for the year at the beginning of training camp, and the injuries have continued into the season.
In Week 3, the Panthers saw Mike Jackson, Jaycee Horn, Damien Lewis, and Jalen Coker all go down. Lewis was the only one of those four to return to the game, but it turns out, he didn’t end up escaping scot-free either.
Damien Lewis Expected to Miss Time With UCL Injury
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
According to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo, Lewis will be sidelines “a few weeks” with a UCL injury.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added that the injury is “a tear in his elbow,” and Lewis is seeking a second opinion. The guard suffered the injury against the Browns and left the game, but he was able to come back in.
When Lewis came back, the hope was that meant he would be okay. Unfortunately, there’s more damage there than thought, so the Panthers will likely be without their best offensive lineman for a few weeks.
So far in 2026, Lewis has earned an elite 85.9 Pro Football Focus grade. That is the third-highest grade out of 89 qualified offensive guards. Lewis has been elite as a run blocker and pass blocker, with a grade of at least 81 in both phases.
In 187 snaps in 2026, Lewis has yet to allow a single sack or be penalized. Every lineman other than Lewis allowed at least one pressure in Week 3.
This could end up being the most consequential injury. Lewis has so clearly been the best lineman on the team that there will definitely be a major dropoff without him. Corey Bullock was not good in relief of Lewis in Week 3, so it will be interesting to see if the team makes a move.
