QC REPRESENT
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Posted on Mon, Aug. 23, 2004
Panthers get good news on Reyes: sprained ankle
JENNA FRYER
Associated Press
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Carolina Panthers let out a collective sigh of relief Monday when tests revealed guard Tutan Reyes has a sprained ankle.
The Panthers had feared a broken bone after Reyes collapsed during Sunday's practice and had to be carted off the field.
"It's good, but it's a high ankle sprain and that's tough business for a big guy," offensive line coach Mike Maser said. "Anytime you injure a wheel, and you're a big person, it takes a while to get back."
Reyes was injured about 30 minutes after tackle Matt Willig was taken off the field with a knee injury. It turned out to be just a bruise, another lucky break for Carolina.
The Panthers have a revamped offensive line this year, one season after they used just seven players and center Jeff Mitchell was the only one to miss a start.
But the line was wiped out in the offseason when free agent guard Jeno James signed with Miami, right guard Kevin Donnalley retired and left tackle Todd Steussie was released.
Only Mitchell and first-round draft pick Jordan Gross remain, and Gross has moved from right tackle to left this season.
Adam Meadows, one of the players brought in to fill a hole on the line, unexpectedly retired shortly after training camp began.
As bad as it's been, Maser has seen worse.
As the offensive line coach for Jacksonville in 2000, Maser watched a series of right tackles go down with injury. Pro Bowler Leon Searcy was lost the first day with a torn quadriceps, and every player tried to use as a replacement ended up injured.
"I'm down to like my sixth tackle and were only three days into training camp," Maser said. "So you can imagine what I was going through then. I was pulling my hair out."
So Maser isn't ready to freak out just yet. But he's admitted the Panthers are actively searching for an offensive lineman to sign.
Still, the Panthers are hopeful that Reyes won't miss any significant playing time.
Although Reyes has appeared in just one game in his first four seasons - and that was on special teams - he was having a solid training camp and had locked down the starting left guard spot.
With his first chance to start in front of him, the setback is frustrating.
"It wasn't the pain as much as the thought that I had worked hard, finally gotten a good shot and now this happens," Reyes said. "But it's part of the game, it happens and we've just got to get back out there."
Panthers get good news on Reyes: sprained ankle
JENNA FRYER
Associated Press
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Carolina Panthers let out a collective sigh of relief Monday when tests revealed guard Tutan Reyes has a sprained ankle.
The Panthers had feared a broken bone after Reyes collapsed during Sunday's practice and had to be carted off the field.
"It's good, but it's a high ankle sprain and that's tough business for a big guy," offensive line coach Mike Maser said. "Anytime you injure a wheel, and you're a big person, it takes a while to get back."
Reyes was injured about 30 minutes after tackle Matt Willig was taken off the field with a knee injury. It turned out to be just a bruise, another lucky break for Carolina.
The Panthers have a revamped offensive line this year, one season after they used just seven players and center Jeff Mitchell was the only one to miss a start.
But the line was wiped out in the offseason when free agent guard Jeno James signed with Miami, right guard Kevin Donnalley retired and left tackle Todd Steussie was released.
Only Mitchell and first-round draft pick Jordan Gross remain, and Gross has moved from right tackle to left this season.
Adam Meadows, one of the players brought in to fill a hole on the line, unexpectedly retired shortly after training camp began.
As bad as it's been, Maser has seen worse.
As the offensive line coach for Jacksonville in 2000, Maser watched a series of right tackles go down with injury. Pro Bowler Leon Searcy was lost the first day with a torn quadriceps, and every player tried to use as a replacement ended up injured.
"I'm down to like my sixth tackle and were only three days into training camp," Maser said. "So you can imagine what I was going through then. I was pulling my hair out."
So Maser isn't ready to freak out just yet. But he's admitted the Panthers are actively searching for an offensive lineman to sign.
Still, the Panthers are hopeful that Reyes won't miss any significant playing time.
Although Reyes has appeared in just one game in his first four seasons - and that was on special teams - he was having a solid training camp and had locked down the starting left guard spot.
With his first chance to start in front of him, the setback is frustrating.
"It wasn't the pain as much as the thought that I had worked hard, finally gotten a good shot and now this happens," Reyes said. "But it's part of the game, it happens and we've just got to get back out there."
