It comes after a battle with previous injuries

CAROLINA PANTHERS star Ikem Ekwonu was carted off the field following a “significant” knee injury against the LA Rams.

Ekwonu went down on a play during the Panthers’ second drive and was taken off, replaced by veteran backup Yosh Nijman.

 
Ikem Ekwonu was carted off the field following a ‘significant’ knee injury against the LA Rams

“We’ll give you, more of an update,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said after the Panthers 31-34 loss to the Rams.

“They’ve got to do all the MRIs and all that stuff, but I think it’s a significant injury, and something that we’re going to have to go into the offseason with.”

The Panthers picked up Ekwonu’s fifth-year option in the spring so the 2026 season is the last on his rookie deal.

Ekwonu was seen smiling and joking with teammates as he left the locker room on crutches but he had a brace on his knee.

“It was hard, man, because Ickey was excited,” guard Robert Hunt said. “Ickey was ready to play. Ickey had a lot of juice.

“Ickey was ready to play, man, and to lose that energy, it was kind of tough, but Yosh stepped in and did a really good job.

“I mean, I love Ickey, man. Ickey came in and joked, you know, he’s just being Ickey, so, Icky’s all right.

“Ickey’s going to attack it the right way. Ickey’s going to be OK, and Ickey’s going to come back.”

Ekwonu missed the December 21 Buccaneers game due to a knee issue and quarterback Bryce Young said the 25-year-old has been battling throughout the year to stay on the field for the 15 games he played.

“I feel for him, so much, such a warrior,” Young said.

“Obviously he’s played so much, and probably from the outside looking in you’d think he’s just been in perfect health, but he’s been battling every week.

“He’s been in the training room, doing all the little things. He’s been pushing through a lot of pain, and you know he’s a warrior.

“He’s a huge part of, of us as a team. I really feel for him, so, yeah, it’s tough to see that.”