Kicking change: Panthers sign Hajrullahu, put Gonzalez on IR
The Carolina Panthers have placed kicker Zane Gonzalez on injured reserve and signed Lirim Hajrullahu off Washington's practice squad to replace himDECEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
ZANE GONZALEZ #47 - KICKER - WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
3 FGA •
3 FGM •
100% PAT
3 FGA
3 FGM
100% PAT
Placed on IR Carolina placed Gonzalez (quadriceps) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports
Impact Gonzalez is thus done for the regular season due to the quad injury he suffered during pregame warmups prior to Sunday's loss to the Bills. As a replacement for Gonzalez, the Panthers signed ?Lirim Hajrullahu? off the Washington's practice squad. Alex Kessman will join Carolina's practice squad to give the team another placekicking option if Hajrullahu falters in his team debut Week 16 against the Buccaneers.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
After further evaluation, Panthers put kicker Zane Gonzalez on IR with quad injury Gonzalez’s injury was not as serious as originally feared, but he is going to miss a few weeks.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM
May be done for season Gonzalez could be placed on injured reserve after he was diagnosed with a strained right quadriceps following an MRI on Monday, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer repo...
Impact The diagnosis is good news for Gonzalez, whom the Panthers feared had torn a muscle while warming up prior to Sunday's 31-14 loss to the Bills. Since the Panthers didn't have another player with NFL kicking experience on the roster, Carolina eschewed extra-point tries on both of its touchdowns and instead went for two. Though the Panthers haven't officially provided an update on Gonzalez's outlook for Week 16 and beyond, the team signed another kicker in Lirim Hajrullahu off Washington's practice squad, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Hajrullahu's addition likely foreshadows Gonzalez's eventual move to season-ending IR.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers' Rhule 'can't speculate' on next week's starting QB
Cam Newton’s struggles have left Matt Rhule looking for answers at quarterbackDECEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Undergoing MRI Gonzalez (quadriceps) will undergo an MRI on Monday to help determine the extent of his injury, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Impact Gonzalez was unable to play Sunday against the Bills after he suffered a quad injury during pregame warmups, and the Panthers will bring in several kickers for a tryout this week, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he needs to talk with doctors before the team determines whether Gonzalez is dealing with a season-ending injury.
DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
NFL Today, Week 15
NFL Today, Week 15DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Broncos QB Bridgewater in hospital with head injury
Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was taken to a hospital for a head injury after he was carted off the field in the third quarter of Denver’s 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Beng...DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Punch-less Panthers lose kicker, and then lose to Bills
The Carolina Panthers lost kicker Zane Gonzalez to a quadriceps injury before the opening kickDECEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bills end 2-game skid with 31-14 win over spiraling Panthers
Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes, Devin Singletary ran for a season-high 86 yards with his quarterback mostly kept in the pocket by a sprained left foot and the Buffalo Bill...DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Zane Gonzalez suffers apparent quad injury during pre-game warmups Carolina Panthers kicker Zane Gonzalez suffers an injury during pre-game warmups and is out for the game against the Buffalo Bills.
DECEMBER 19, 2021 • NFL.COM
Won't play Week 15 The Panthers announced Gonzalez won't play Sunday against the Bills after suffering a right quadriceps injury during warmups, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Impact The injury occurred when Gonzalez lost his footing on the field while attempting a kick. After Gonzalez was helped to the locker room, Carolina had a number of players take part in kickoffs for the remainder of warmups. Emergency placekicking duties could fall to punter Lachlan Edwards or backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who served as a kicker in high school. Most likely, though, the Panthers will likely eschew extra-point tries in favor of two-point attempts for any touchdowns they score during the afternoon.
DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
The Latest: Broncos' Bridgewater taken off on stretcher
Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was strapped down on a body board and carted off the field in the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals on SundayDECEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Suffers injury in warmups Gonzalez required assistance off the field after he suffered an apparent leg injury during warmups prior to Sunday's game in Buffalo, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Impact Though Gonzalez officially remains active for the contest, he looks like he could be at risk of not playing in the game after coming down with the injury. Carolina doesn't have any other placekickers on the roster, so the team will most likely turn to punter Lachlan Edwards to handle that role. Edwards' inexperience as a placekicker could prompt head coach Matt Rhule to forgo longer-range extra-point and field-goal attempts throughout the contest.
DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bills coach McDermott rekindles Carolina ties vs former team
Bills coach Sean McDermott faces his former team, the Carolina Panthers, for the second time since taking over in Buffalo in 2017DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Makes all three kicks Gonzalez did not attempt a field goal but made all three of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Falcons.
Impact Gonzalez again did all that was required of him, extending his streak to nine straight games without a miss. Although being limited to PATs restricted his production Sunday, Gonzalez's consistency has been impressive this season.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Lou Groza Award Winners Winners of the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission: 2021_Jake Moody, Michigan 2020...
DECEMBER 10, 2021 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM
Just four points Gonzalez made his only field-goal attempt and lone extra-point try in Sunday's 33-10 loss to the Dolphins.
Impact Gonzalez converted from 41 yards to end the second quarter, his only field-goal attempt over the past couple weeks. Despite getting few opportunities lately, Gonzalez has now gone eight straight games without a miss heading into Carolina's bye.
NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No field-goal attempts Gonzalez did not attempt a field goal but made all three of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 27-21 loss to Washington.
Impact Gonzalez was limited to PATs but in making all three of his attempts, Gonzalez went a seventh straight game without a single miss. The veteran will hope to keep his streak going while getting more opportunities in Week 12 versus the Dolphins.
NOVEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Panthers hope Newton can provide same jolt as a starter
Cam Newton proved he can provide the Carolina Panthers with a jolt off the bench playing in certain goal-line and short-yard packagesNOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Notches season high Gonzalez made all four of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Cardinals.
Impact Gonzalez converted from 44, 48, 49 and 27 yards on his respective field goals, continuing his consistent play of late. The kicker has now gone six straight games without a miss, with Sunday's 14 points marking a new season high.
NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Superman's sequel: Newton leads Panthers over Cards 34-10
Cam Newton provided a flashback to his Superman days in his second debut with the Panthers He threw for one touchdown, ran for another and sparked Carolina to a 34-10 win over the...NOVEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ratke kicks 6 FGs, breaks two NCAA marks in Dukes' 32-22 win
Ethan Ratke kicked a school-record six field goals and set two NCAA records in James Madison’s 32-22 victory over William & MaryNOVEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
NFL-best Cardinals try to keep mojo vs. struggling Panthers
The Arizona Cardinals take their NFL-best 8-1 record into a home matchup against the Carolina Panthers on SundayNOVEMBER 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Directionless Panthers getting worse as season progresses
The Carolina Panthers look like a team without a direction heading into the second half of the 2021 seasonNOVEMBER 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
