Injury-plagued Panthers suffer big loss with G Damien Lewis sidelined

Diving to recover Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard 's fumble on a 2-point conversion attempt last Sunday, guard Damien Lewis reached out in vain.

The seven-year veteran failed to secure the loose ball and ended up re-aggravating his ailing elbow, remaining on the Huntington Bank Field for medical treatment for the second time. Lewis also sustained an injury that kept him out for most of the second quarter.

Lewis returned both times during the Panthers' 21-18 loss to the blitz-heavy Cleveland Browns , but he could be lost for several weeks with a UCL injury in his elbow, as reported by @MikeGarafolo and @RapSheet .

Despite subpar performances by the other four offensive line starters, Lewis held up against the Browns' pressure, earning the Panthers' highest offensive grade (89.7), according to Pro Football Focus. He was the lone offensive lineman not to yield pressure.

Guard Robert Hunt and tackles Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling each surrendered six pressures and center Luke Fortner received the unit's lowest pass-blocking grade (34.4).

When the Panthers released their Week 1 depth chart, Lewis, who also suffered a lower-body injury in the regular-season opening loss, was the lone listed left guard.

Panthers G Damien Lewis out for foreseeable future

With the Detroit Lions (2-1) scheduled for a primetime matchup Sunday night at Bank of America Stadium, Panthers offensive line coach Joe Gilbert likely will prep Corey Bullock , who replaced Lewis during the second quarter against the Browns.

The Panthers (1-2) claimed Bullock off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens following cutdown day. A 2024 undrafted free agent appeared in 16 games last season and could be in line for his first NFL start.

He could be challenged to replace Lewis, who allowed one sack and 13 pressures during 553 pass-blocking snaps last season. He will undoubtedly be challenged by a Lions defense that may follow the Browns' lead and continue pressuring Panthers quarterback Bryce Young .

In a copycat league, the Panthers' offensive front should expect to see a variety of blitz packages from opposing defenses. Young, who leads the NFL with 939 passing yards, endured pressure on 32 of his 51 dropbacks against the Browns.

Will it become an early-season blueprint?

"We didn't handle the movement well up front, and we're looking at it schematically and structurally the runs looked fine," Canales said, per Panthers.com . "We missed some blocks up front. Some of (the Browns') rush patterns (were) creating a little bit of pressure for Bryce."

The pressure is building on the Panthers' medical staff.

Along with Lewis , key contributors Jalen Coker (quad strain), Jaycee Horn (torn quad), Mike Jackson (groin), Xavier Legette (knee), Devin Lloyd (knee) and Nick Scott (rib) remain hobbled. The Panthers will release the week's first injury report Wednesday.

"There's no replacing Jaycee Horn," Canales said. "We're not asking our guys to replace Jaycee. We're just asking them to do their job."

That MASH list does not include projected starting tackles Taylor Moton (blood clots) and Ikem Ekwonu (knee), who have yet to dress this season but could return after the Week 5 bye, RB2 Jonathon Brooks , or reserve OL Brady Christensen (hamstring) or special teams aces Claudin Cherelus (shoulder) and Bam Martin-Scott (hamstring).