Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher suffered a concussion at the end of September, yet he is reportedly still in the NFL’s concussion protocol.
According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, Oher has begun working out, and head coach Ron Rivera thinks he’ll have his starting tackle back for the 2017 season.
However, general manager Dave Gettleman’s comments on the matter, along with the fact he’s still in the protocol, indicate the seriousness of his initial injury.
“I haven’t spoken to Michael in a little bit. I haven’t texted with him in a little bit. I want to back off and leave him alone. Because we want what’s best for Michael, really and truly,” Gettleman told the Observer this week at Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Ala.
A starting tackle his entire career, Oher has banged heads for 110 games in his eight years in the league with the Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans and Panthers.
He signed on with Carolina before the 2015 season and had an outstanding campaign to help the Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 before being forced out of action after three games in 2016. At the age of 30, with so many games under his belt, it seems clear that all options should remain on the table for the veteran — including retirement.
So while the Panthers would love to have him back, and no doubt Oher is striving to make it back, the team absolutely must plan for a future without him if Cam Newton is going to thrive in the long term as the franchise passer.