Ikwonu is still refining his pass-protection skills, but has proven himself to be very good in the run game, earning a 66.2 PFF pass-blocking grade and an 80.5 PFF run-blocking grade last year. He, unfortunately, allowed the highest quarterback pressure rate of his career last year (7.0 percent) but did manage to reduce the number of times he was beaten by a defender from 34 to 21 in the season prior. Tacking on the fifth year allows the Panthers to further evaluate him without making a serious long-term investment.

Starting right guard Robert Hunt is also questionable with an illness as a bug is going around the Panther’s facility. Carolina will be in a bind if both starting linemen are out for Week 16, but players rarely miss games because of illnesses. We fully expect both bigs to suit up versus Arizona.

The Panthers will be forced to move multiple linemen around with Ekwonu out. Brady Christensen will move from center to left tackle and Cade Mays will start at center. Diontae Johnson is off the roster and Adam Thielen is not expected to play. It’s another nightmare setup for Bryce Young.

Ekwonu was limited in practice throughout the week and looks like a good bet to play on Sunday. That’s good news for Bryce Young, who is coming off the best game of his rookie season but would struggle to keep the ball rolling without his left tackle in the lineup. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is also listed as questionable.