By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer
August 5, 2010
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina right tackle Jeff Otah had arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee on Wednesday, a procedure the Panthers hope he'll recover from in time to play in the regular-season opener.
Otah was placed on the physically unable to perform list when he arrived a training camp last week, still experiencing discomfort following surgery in December to repair torn cartilage that knocked him out of the final three games.
Coach John Fox said Otah, who had yet to practice in training camp, returned to Charlotte Wednesday to be examined and it was decided to do the second surgery.
"I think it was a good move and something he'll recover from pretty quickly," Fox said.
Fox was hopeful Otah, a key cog in Carolina's offensive line, will be in the lineup on Sept. 12 at the New York Giants in Week 1.
"As with all injuries, it's hard to predict," Fox said. "But that's the plan."
A first-round pick in 2008, the 6-foot-6, 335-pound Otah immediately became a starter and has helped open holes for one of the league's top rushing tandems of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Each rushed for over 1,100 yards last season.
Geoff Schwartz has been working at right tackle in camp, and Otah's absence means the Panthers will likely have an inexperienced right side of the offensive line for much of the preseason.
Schwartz has three career starts, all after Otah was injured last season. Mackenzy Bernadeau, the front-runner to start at right guard after Keydrick Vincent wasn't re-signed, has started seven games.
Otah was one of 16 players to miss the second practice Wednesday in Carolina's injury-plagued camp.
