Rasheed Walker's struggles force Panthers to consider benching left tackle

Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Rasheed Walker faces a potential benching after a disastrous performance against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Oct. 29. The Panthers lost that game 27-19 at Lambeau Field, and the offensive line bore much of the blame for the defeat. According to Cat Crave, the team must think long and hard about whether Walker deserves another start on the blindside.

Walker was signed in the offseason to fill the void left by Ikem Ekwonu's torn patellar tendon, a move initially viewed as a shrewd financial decision. However, his performance has fallen short of even modest expectations, with Cat Crave noting his pass protection technique and run blocking as ongoing complications. Green Bay proved more disastrous for him than his prior clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the outlet noted.

Fantasy impact

Quarterback Bryce Young faced constant duress as the Packers attacked Walker from all angles with speed and bull rushes. Cat Crave reports that Green Bay exploited these glaring weaknesses to put Young under pressure almost constantly throughout the contest. If the Panthers bench Walker, a replacement option would likely take his spot to help stabilize the pocket for the upcoming matchup.

What to do

Monitor Rasheed Walker's status before Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers play their next game on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. ET, and the coaching staff must decide if Walker can handle the defensive front.

Keeping Young fit for the latter portion of the 2026 season would be the goal of any benching decision.