Panthers offensive line has options, and they're using many at the moment

CHARLOTTE — The Panthers have continuity on the offensive line in that 30,000-foot view kind of way.

Down here on the ground, things look a little different at the moment.

After Thursday's practice, their final one before their last weekend off until the bye, the Panthers have a number of issues to deal with up front.

Their left tackle's back in the building, days after his emergency appendectomy. They have a couple of options to replace him — if he needs replacing — but they haven't settled on one yet.

Then their left guard is only beginning to graduate out of a red non-contact jersey, so they're unsure about his status for the Sept. 7 opener against Jacksonville.

Other than that, everything's cool.

"I think the benefit, like everybody's asked and talked about this year is, is the s