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Panthers' Monroe Freeling: Clears concussion protocol
Rotowire
Freeling has passed the NFL's concussion protocol and is good to go for Sunday's Week 4 matchup against the Lions, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Freeling had been deemed questionable for Sunday while in concussion protocol, but he's been cleared one day ahead of the Week 4 matchup. The rookie first-round pick has started at right tackle in each of his first three NFL contests and has logged 97 percent of Carolina's offensive snaps so far.
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Panthers' Monroe Freeling: Questionable vs. Detroit
Rotowire
Freeling (concussion) was a full participant in Friday's practice but is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Freeling entered the league's concussion protocol following the Panthers' loss to the Browns in Week 3. He was cleared to fully practice Friday, but he needs to pass an evaluation by an independent neurologist in order to play Sunday. Stone Forsythe would likely start at right tackle if Freeling held out.
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Panthers' Monroe Freeling: DNP due to concussion
Rotowire
Freeling (concussion) did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Freeling entered the league's concussion protocol following the Panthers' 21-18 loss to the Browns in Week 3. A return to practice would indicate that the rookie first-rounder is progressing in his recovery, but even if he logs a full session, he would need to be cleared by an independent neurologist in order to play. Stone Forsythe and Albert Reese would be the top candidates to start at right tackle if Freeling is not cleared to play against the Lions on Sunday.
Freeling will start the 2026 regular season at right tackle, Steve Reed of the Associated Press reports.
Freeling played left tackle primarily at Georgia before the Panthers selected him 19th overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, but he will switch to the opposite end of the offensive line to begin his NFL career. The 6-foot-7, 315 pound athlete certainly has the size to hold his own in the league, and he will get a shot to fill in for Taylor Moton (illness) at right tackle while Moton recovers from a blood clot. With Ikem Ekwonu (knee) still recovering from offseason surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee, Carolina is expected to be without both of their starting offensive tackles to begin 2026.
The Panthers selected Freeling in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 19th overall.
Freeling (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) might be more potential than polish after starting just one year at Georgia, but that one year was promising to the point that this selection looks like a steal for the Panthers. Carolina might be unsure of what to expect in the recovery process for Ikem Ekwonu (patellar tendon), and the otherwise excellent Taylor Moton at right tackle will turn 32 in August. As much as Freeling played left tackle at Georgia and can easily project there in the NFL, Freeling could just as easily play on the right side.
