It’s not often you see highlights from offensive linemen. Heck, and it’s definitely not often you see them from Carolina Panthers offensive linemen.
But 2022 feels a little different for the often punchless group, particularly at the left tackle position.
There, on Friday night, sat Ikem Ekwonu—for what was the first of (hopefully) many starts on the blindside for the 2022 sixth overall pick. And he wasted almost no time letting everyone know, especially New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones, that there’s a new hog molly in town.
During the very first series of the preseason tilt, Ekwonu played right through a rush from running back D’Onta Foreman and nearly pancaked Jones right through the turf.
ICKEY 😱 pic.twitter.com/RVEQ3Ors3M
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 19, 2022
Unfortunately for Ekwonu and quarterback PJ Walker, the drive didn’t go much of anywhere—stalling at their own 34-yard line after just four plays. But Jones did go somewhere—straight under a 320-pound monster and right into the shadow realm.
