The Carolina Panthers have lost some much-needed depth, as the team announced Monday that offensive tackle Bruce Campbell requires rotator cuff surgery. Head coach Ron Rivera is unsure whether Campbell will miss the 2013 season.
Bruce Campbell requires rotator cuff surgery
A loss on the line will force the Panthers to make a move.
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
Campbell did not figure into the Panthers' starting plans, though he did get some first-team reps at right tackle in training camp. Offensive line depth has been a serious issue for Carolina since it released long-standing veteran right guard Geoff Hangartner. The organization has been trying a variety of combinations on the offensive line, and the loss of Campbell further exacerbates its issues.
The Panthers had been trying Nate Chandler as an offensive tackle, but the results have been poor so far. The former undrafted free agent has little history playing the position at a competitive level. He started on the offensive line as a freshman before switching to tight end at UCLA, and then moved to the defensive line his junior year. Most recently, Chandler was a backup defensive tackle for Carolina in 2012.
Campbell's injury will force general manager Dave Gettleman's hand. It was assumed he'd wait until the first round of cuts to find a cast-off from another team, but he'll likely need to make a move sooner if he hopes to keep Carolina's quarterbacks upright when they play the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.
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