Panthers' defensive tackle Chas Alecxih was carted off the field Sunday with what appeared to be the first serious injury of Carolina's training camp.

According to coach Ron Rivera, Alecxih injured his knee when his left leg was momentarily stuck in the turf during a 2-on-2 drill.

"It didn't look good," Rivera said.

"The prognosis right now is very guarded."

Alecxih, 27, spent all of last season on the Panthers' practice squad. The 6-foot-4, 295-pounder was a longshot to make the final roster at perhaps its deepest position, but he had been making an impression.

"The young man's having a great camp. That's always a disappointment, too, when a guy who worked very hard and was earning an opportunity," Rivera said. "The other night he got some opportunities with our No. 1 defense and didn't look bad at all, so you feel for the young man, but that's the unfortunate part of this game."

Before the cart took Alecxih off the field, every member of the Panthers' defense came over to wish him well.