Matt Rhule provides disappointing update on Zane Gonzalez after preseason injury

Since joining the Carolina Panthers, Zane Gonzalez simply can’t catch a break when it comes to freak injuries.

The former Arizona State kicker is in the middle of working his way back from a surprising injury that ended his season last year, and he had to be carted off the field prior to the Panthers preseason game on Friday. Once again, Gonzalez was injured during warmups for the Panthers, and the team called it a groin injury following the incident.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing Gonzalez on the field anytime soon, as Panthers coach Matt Rhule provided an unfortunate update on their kicker on Saturday.

“Also Rhule: Zane Gonzalez has ‘significant, long-term injury.’ So Panthers need a kicker,” tweeted Joe Person of The Athletic.

Earlier in the offseason, the Panthers inked Gonzalez to a long-term extension, but they’ll be disappointed their kicker won’t see the field for the foreseeable future.

“Gonzalez hit 17 straight field goals to finish last season, before a freak pre-game quad injury at Buffalo sent him to injured reserve,” highlighted the Panthers earlier this offseason. “He hit 20-of-22 field goals after joining the Panthers in Week 2 of the regular season. That 90.9 percentage was ninth in the league among qualifying kickers. He also hit 22-of-23 extra points.

“Gonzalez also became a reliable producer of touchbacks, helping stabilize the coverage game.”

Nevertheless, hopefully Zane Gonzalez can get back on — and stay on — the field in the near future for the Carolina Panthers.

NFL insider reveals expected timeline for Sam Darnold injury

Moreover, it hasn’t been a great week or so for Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold.

First, the former USC star was beat out for the starting gig by newly-acquired quarterback Baker Mayfield. Then, Darnold went down with an ankle injury during the Panthers’ preseason matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

Luckily, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided a positive update on Darnold, all things considered.

“Sam Darnold is expected to be out 4-6 weeks, sources say,” tweeted Rapoport. “He’ll get a second opinion to be sure. Considering what it looked like, not a bad outcome.”

After Darnold was carted off the field, Carolina was bracing for the worst, but Rapoport’s report will be welcome news following the possibilites.

At the time of the injury, Darnold had thrown 11 passes, completing just five of them. He had thrown for 49 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Prior to Friday night, Darnold had only thrown three passes in the preseason, with Carolina limiting him from an injury exactly like this as to why.

Nevertheless, Carolina will begin the regular season on Sept. 11 with a home game against the Cleveland Browns. While most eyes will be on Baker Mayfield going up against his old squad, the injury of Sam Darnold will be monitored as well. Mayfield suffered a major injury last season, and the Panthers will want a strong backup.