Questionable
Injury Knee
Est. Return 8/1/2026
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Ekwonu is recovering from January surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon suffered during Carolina's wild-card loss to the Rams. His Week 1 availability remains uncertain, with Rasheed Walker and rookie Monroe Freeling potential fill-in options at left tackle. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a four-year, $27.57 million contract with the Panthers in May of 2022. Panthers exercised $17.56 million team option for 2026 in April of 2025.
Progressing in recovery
Ekwonu is progressing well from the knee injury he suffered in January, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Ekwonu said he is "crushing it" in rehab as he works his way back from a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. The 2022 first-round pick is expected to return to the field at some point during the upcoming campaign.
Ekwonu said he is "crushing it" in rehab as he works his way back from a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. The 2022 first-round pick is expected to return to the field at some point during the upcoming campaign.
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
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Measurables Review
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How do Ikem Ekwonu's measurables compare to other tackles?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 4"Weight
320 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.93 secShuttle Time
4.73 secCone Drill
7.82 secVertical Jump
29.0 inBroad Jump
108 inHand Length
10.25 inArm Length
34.00 in
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2025
2024
2023
2022
Ekwonu has started all 49 games he's appeared in since being selected by Carolina in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Now entering his fourth season, he's expected to remain the Panthers' top left tackle and continue protecting Bryce Young's blindside.
More Fantasy News
Undergoes surgery
Ekwonu underwent surgery this week to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Ruptures patellar tendon
Panthers coach Dave Canales confirmed that Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee during Saturday's 34-31 loss to the Rams in the wild-card round, Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer reports.
ANALYSIS
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Dealing with significant injury
Ekwonu suffered a significant knee injury Saturday that will carry into the offseason, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Questionable to return
Ekwonwu (knee) is questionable to return to Carolina's wild-card matchup versus the Rams on Saturday, David Newton of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Logs full practice Wednesday
Ekwonu (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
ANALYSIS
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Expected to play in 2026
Coach David Canales said Ekwonu is likely to play at some point in 2026, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee in early January, and the injury typically carries a wide recovery timeline of between six and 12 months. Canales indicated that the left tackle's rehab has gone very well, though he didn't provide an exact target date for a return.
Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee in early January, and the injury typically carries a wide recovery timeline of between six and 12 months. Canales indicated that the left tackle's rehab has gone very well, though he didn't provide an exact target date for a return.