Carolina Panthers: Ross Cockrell injury brings more bad luck

The Carolina Panthers were hit with another injury as Ross Cockrell went down with a broken leg during Monday’s practice at training camp.

The past few days have been very unlucky for the Carolina Panthers. First, Daryl Williams was hit with a scary injury that was later classified as an MCL tear. On Monday, cornerback Ross Cockrell goes down to a leg injury that could have big implications to his 2018 season and the Panthers defensive backfield.

According to multiple repots, Cockrell went down with a fractured left tibia and fibula during practice on Monday. He and wide receiver, Torrey Smith collided in the end zone hard. Cockrell went down screaming in pain and Smith was heard saying that Cockrell’s “leg is broke.” This was the final play of practice as it was a familiar scene of Panthers players gathered around a fallen teammate.

Cockrell was added to the Panthers in March and was expected to be a contributor within this defensive backfield. The fourth-year player had experience with the Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants before becoming a Panther. During that time he’s amassed five interceptions and 118 tackles. He signed a two-year deal worth $6.8 million.

“Ross was doing some really good things,” coach Ron Rivera as reported by David Newton of ESPN.  “He’s a wily veteran and a guy that has really done some really good things since he’s been here. It’s one of those things you have a guy who is going to contribute. It’s a tough one because he’s such a good person too.”

Cockrell was expected to be in contention for a starting slot opposite the Panthers’ only real defensive backfield starter, James Bradberry. Carolina has done a lot of work to continue its overhaul of the secondary, a group that’s still trying to find an identity after struggling the last few seasons. Rookie Donte Jackson was Cockrell’s main competition and he’s also hindered by a slight groin injury,

No timetable is set for if and when Cockrell will be able to return this season. The Panthers will wait until after the scheduled surgery to make a decision on his status for the year.

The Panthers brought in a number of players through free agency and the 2018 draft in order to work on their defensive backfield. The Panthers allowed 229 yards per game in 2018 which sat them at as the 19th ranked team in the league.

For many, their struggles are linked back to losing Josh Norman two seasons ago. But since then, a number of other players from that powerful unit have moved on and the Panthers have continued to struggle to get back to the high level takeaways that they were known for during that time. Cockrell would have been a strong addition to the core unit and capable of providing veteran leadership that is needed in this unit.

The Carolina Panthers have already had to deal with one major injury and two days later the team is hit with their second. Professional football has a “next man up” mentality and now is the time for the Panthers to find a way to fill yet another injury void on this team.