Panthers right tackle Daryl Williams tore the medial collateral ligament and dislocated the patella in his right knee Saturday at training camp practice at Wofford College.
The team said there is no timetable for his return.
Williams was engaged with two pass rushers during 11-on-11 team drills when his knee bent back awkwardly. Several players gathered around Williams and others took a knee while the crowd went silent. He was carted off the field.
Rivera said it was difficult for players to resume practice after watching what happened because Williams is so liked.
"We were kind of floating right there Lars Eller Jersey , especially on the offensive side," he said. "You could feel it and it takes a little wind out of your sails a little bit. But after that period we refocused."
Williams, entering his contract season, has started 28 games and played in 39 during his three seasons in Carolina. He started all 16 games at right tackle last season. Pro Football Focus ranked Williams as top right tackle in the NFL last season and the third-best offensive tackle overall.
Taylor Moton Peyton Manning Jersey , the backup right tackle, said Williams is one of his best friends on the team. He immediately took a knee to pray.
"He's been a great mentor to me, just watching how he plays day in and day out," Moton said. "He was a (second-team) All-Pro tackle last year and he means a lot to the team."
"We will keep our fingers crossed," Rivera said. "In the meantime, Taylor is going to have to step up and take advantage of the opportunity to get better."
Said Moton: "Wherever coach puts me I am going to give it my 100 percent best effort. If it's at right tackle, so be it. I feel comfortable and confident."
The Buccaneers are heading into a season without Doug Martin in their backfield for the first time since 2011 and one of the players in the mix to pick up the playing time left behind is rookie Ronald Jones.
Jones came to Tampa in the second round of this year’s draft Marshall Faulk Jersey , which he said left a bit of a chip on his shoulder because he hoped to come off the board in the first round. Jones said in an interview with the McKinney Courier-Gazette that he hopes to prove the Bucs “made the right decision” and aims to start that process right off the bat.
“I definitely want to come in and assert myself, but I still want to take it one day at a time,” Jones said. “It’s a big jump to the big leagues. Just try to beat the guy in front of me.”
Peyton Barber, Charles Sims and Jacquizz Rodgers will be Jones’ chief competition for playing time in the Tampa backfield and whoever winds up on top come September will be asked to help the Bucs offense show well while Jameis Winston serves a three-game suspension. Houston Texans Jerseys