By admin 
Dave Canales spent the first month of the season short on healthy tackles. Now the Carolina Panthers coach has three of them for two spots, and his choice before Tampa Bay visits will show how much patience he has with his first-round pick at right tackle.
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Taylor Moton made the decision harder in the best way. Back from the blood clots in his lung, Moton played all 79 snaps of the 25-14 win in Philadelphia and allowed two pressures and no sacks, per PFF. That is one game, but Canales liked what he saw when he spoke with the team’s website on Monday. “My dad always said a man with options is blessed,” Canales said. “But again, we have to do what’s right for the team.”
Three tackles and two open spots
Rasheed Walker has been the constant. Signed in free agency as the stopgap for Ikem Ekwonu, who ruptured his patellar tendon in January’s wild-card loss to the Rams and remains on reserve/PUP, Walker has taken all 282 of his snaps at left tackle. His 60.2 overall grade from PFF is ordinary, and he has allowed 20 pressures. Still, Bryce Young has thrown for 1,549 yards, 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions during the quarterback’s breakout start.
Monroe Freeling is the complication. The No. 19 pick started the first four games at right tackle before hurting his knee against Detroit, and his 54.6 pass-block grade ranks 67th of 74 tackles, according to PFF. He has allowed 15 pressures and two sacks, and the line drew an F in our position group grades.
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Tampa Bay arrives at 1-5, but its defense ranks fourth in EPA per play, per SumerSports, and sacked Aaron Rodgers five times in Sunday’s overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
Canales should start Walker at left tackle and Moton at right tackle against the Buccaneers and let Freeling heal as the swing tackle. Fans in uptown Charlotte have waited all season to see Moton back on the right side. Steady protection is also the clearest path if Carolina wants to win the NFC South again. The next checkpoint is Freeling’s practice participation this week. Even if he is a full participant by Friday, the group that won in Philadelphia has earned another start, and Freeling can reclaim a job once he is fully healthy.
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This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM.