Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Daryl Williams dodged a bullet.
An MRI on Monday confirmed the rookie sprained the MCL in his right knee during Sunday’s season opener in Jacksonville. Williams is expected to miss two to four weeks, which isn't great, but it could have been much worse.
On the first and only play of his NFL debut, the fourth-round pick was hurt while blocking on the right side during the Panthers' opening field goal. Because he couldn’t walk off under his own power and was immediately ruled out for the rest of game, there was some concern about a season-ending injury.
"It's better than a torn MCL or ACL," Williams said while limping through the locker room Monday afternoon.
"It's crazy how it happened, me and coach just watched it. Three guys tried to pull me back and right when the ball was kicked and went into the uprights, a guy just fell into the back of my knees. It was just bad luck."
NFL Game Pass
Williams said he once missed four-to-six weeks while at Oklahoma when he sprained the same MCL and "that one was worse."
A four-week timeframe would force him to miss games against the Texans, Saints and Bucs before the bye week. He'd then return in Week 6 when the Panthers face the Seahawks.
With Williams out, Michael Oher and Mike Remmers are the only healthy tackles currently on Carolina's roster. Nate Chandler was inactive against the Jaguars after his surgically repaired knee flared up last week.
Guard Amini Silatolu, who was active but didn't play Sunday, will likely see increased practice time at tackle. Reserve lineman Chris Scott could help out there as well.