The Panthers placed Gonzalez (groin) on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his 2022 season, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Gonzalez may require surgery to address a groin injury he sustained during Carolina's preseason finale versus Buffalo, and the timing of the 27-year-old kicker's placement on IR means he will miss the entire 2022 campaign. The Panthers don't currently have another kicker on the roster, meaning the team will have to prioritize making a signing in the aftermath of league-wide roster cutdowns.
Aug 30, 2022 1:10 PM EST
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that it's yet to be determined if Gonzalez (groin) will need surgery or how long he'll be out, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Gonzalez suffered the injury during Friday's preseason finale, but the extent of the issue remains unknown, though he is expected to miss a significant amount of time. He's currently the only kick on Carolina's roster, so expect the Panthers to make a move for a replacement kicker soon. More information on Gonzalez's status should come closer to Tuesday's 53-man roster deadline.
Aug 29, 2022 11:49 AM EST
Gonzalez is expected to be placed on injured reserve after suffering a "significant" groin injury, Ellis L. Williams of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: It's unclear if the injury is of the season-ending variety, but it certainly appears as if the veteran kicker will be out for a long period of time regardless. The Panthers don't currently have another kicker on the active so expect the team to sign one shortly after roster cutdowns occur.
Aug 27, 2022 11:18 AM EST
Gonzalez suffered a groin injury during Friday's preseason contest against the Bills, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.
Analysis: The injury didn't happen on the field, but instead on the sideline as Gonzalez readied himself for a potential field goal or extra point in the third quarter. After taking a practice kick into the net, he went to the ground and eventually was carted to the locker room. While Gonzalez was deemed questionable to return, the Panthers soon may have to hold tryouts if the issue is considered a serious one.
Aug 26, 2022 6:42 PM EST
Gonzalez (leg) was carted to the locker room during Friday's preseason game versus the Bills, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: According to Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site, Gonzalez went down after attempting a practice kick on the sideline as the team's offense entered the red zone. Gonzalez was steady for Carolina last season, making 20 of 22 field-goal attempts and 22 of 23 point-after tries in 12 appearances. It remains to be seen if the Panthers will be required to bring in reinforcements at placekicker.
Aug 26, 2022 6:29 PM EST
Gonzalez made his only field-goal attempt and extra-point try in Friday's 20-10 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: Gonzalez converted from 27 yards on his lone field goal, which along with a third-quarter PAT, netted him four points total. After inking a two-year deal with the Panthers this offseason, Gonzalez will return as the team's kicker after notching 82 points in 12 appearances for Carolina last season.
Aug 21, 2022 7:22 AM EST
The Panthers have re-signed Gonzalez to a two-year $4.5 million deal, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: By the time the Panthers take the field again, Gonzalez will be well past the quad issue that sidelined him late last season and will reprise his duties as the team's top kicker. Prior to his injury, Gonzalez made 20 of his 22 field-goal attempts and hit 22 of his 23 extra-point tries in 12 games. While retaining the 26-year-old provides Carolina with some welcome stability at the kicker position, Gonzalez's fantasy prospects in 2022 hinge on the overall efforts of the franchise's offense, a unit that figures to undergo some re-tooling this offseason.
Mar 9, 2022 9:02 AM EST
Gonzalez (quad) has been placed on IR by the Panthers.
Analysis: Gonzalez is thus done for the regular season due to a quad injury he suffered during pregame warm-ups this past Sunday. To replace him, the Panthers signed Lirim Hajrullahu off the Washington's practice squad, while Alex Kessman is slated to join Carolina's practice squad.
Dec 22, 2021 9:32 AM EST
Gonzalez could be placed on injured reserve after he was diagnosed with a strained right quadriceps following an MRI on Monday, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: The diagnosis is good news for Gonzalez, whom the Panthers feared had torn a muscle while warming up prior to Sunday's 31-14 loss to the Bills. Since the Panthers didn't have another player with NFL kicking experience on the roster, Carolina eschewed extra-point tries on both of its touchdowns and instead went for two. Though the Panthers haven't officially provided an update on Gonzalez's outlook for Week 16 and beyond, the team signed another kicker in Lirim Hajrullahu off Washington's practice squad, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Hajrullahu's addition likely foreshadows Gonzalez's eventual move to season-ending IR.
Dec 21, 2021 3:07 PM EST
Gonzalez (quadriceps) will undergo an MRI on Monday to help determine the extent of his injury, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Gonzalez was unable to play Sunday against the Bills after he suffered a quad injury during pregame warmups, and the Panthers will bring in several kickers for a tryout this week, David Newton of ESPN.com reports. Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he needs to talk with doctors before the team determines whether Gonzalez is dealing with a season-ending injury.
Dec 20, 2021 9:31 AM EST
The Panthers announced Gonzalez won't play Sunday against the Bills after suffering a right quadriceps injury during warmups, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: The injury occurred when Gonzalez lost his footing on the field while attempting a kick. After Gonzalez was helped to the locker room, Carolina had a number of players take part in kickoffs for the remainder of warmups. Emergency placekicking duties could fall to punter Lachlan Edwards or backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who served as a kicker in high school. Most likely, though, the Panthers will likely eschew extra-point tries in favor of two-point attempts for any touchdowns they score during the afternoon.
Dec 19, 2021 9:25 AM EST
Gonzalez required assistance off the field after he suffered an apparent leg injury during warmups prior to Sunday's game in Buffalo, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Though Gonzalez officially remains active for the contest, he looks like he could be at risk of not playing in the game after coming down with the injury. Carolina doesn't have any other placekickers on the roster, so the team will most likely turn to punter Lachlan Edwards to handle that role. Edwards' inexperience as a placekicker could prompt head coach Matt Rhule to forgo longer-range extra-point and field-goal attempts throughout the contest.
Dec 19, 2021 8:57 AM EST
Gonzalez did not attempt a field goal but made all three of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Falcons.
Analysis: Gonzalez again did all that was required of him, extending his streak to nine straight games without a miss. Although being limited to PATs restricted his production Sunday, Gonzalez's consistency has been impressive this season.
Dec 13, 2021 7:32 AM EST
Gonzalez made his only field-goal attempt and lone extra-point try in Sunday's 33-10 loss to the Dolphins.
Analysis: Gonzalez converted from 41 yards to end the second quarter, his only field-goal attempt over the past couple weeks. Despite getting few opportunities lately, Gonzalez has now gone eight straight games without a miss heading into Carolina's bye.
Nov 29, 2021 7:22 AM EST
Gonzalez did not attempt a field goal but made all three of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 27-21 loss to Washington.
Analysis: Gonzalez was limited to PATs but in making all three of his attempts, Gonzalez went a seventh straight game without a single miss. The veteran will hope to keep his streak going while getting more opportunities in Week 12 versus the Dolphins.
Nov 22, 2021 9:19 AM EST
Gonzalez made all four of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra-point tries in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Cardinals.
Analysis: Gonzalez converted from 44, 48, 49 and 27 yards on his respective field goals, continuing his consistent play of late. The kicker has now gone six straight games without a miss, with Sunday's 14 points marking a new season high.
Nov 15, 2021 6:23 AM EST
Gonzalez made both of his field-goal tries and did not attempt an extra point in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: Gonzalez has emerged as a reliable presence for the Panthers lately, converting field goals from 39 and 49 yards Sunday. He'll strive to keep his positive momentum going while facing his former team, the Cardinals, in Week 10.
Nov 8, 2021 6:13 AM EST
Gonzalez made all four of his field-goal attempts as well as his only extra-point try in Sunday's 19-13 win over the Falcons.
Analysis: Gonzalez converted field goals from 29, 51, 57 and 23 yards, fueling the Panthers' scoring prior to a fourth-quarter touchdown from the offense. The veteran has come on strong lately, as Gonzalez has now gone four straight games without a miss, racking up 34 points over that span.
Nov 1, 2021 7:43 AM EST
Gonzalez made his only field-goal try and did not attempt an extra point in Sunday's 25-3 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Gonzalez converted a 45-yarder off the upright on his only kick of the game, bringing his season tally to 39 points through six appearances as a Panther.
Oct 25, 2021 8:12 AM EST
Gonzalez made both his field-goal attempts and both his extra-point tries in Sunday's 34-28 overtime loss to the Vikings.
Analysis: Gonzalez converted from 47 and 23 yards on his respective field goals, putting together a second straight perfect kicking performance. Through five games for the Panthers, Gonzalez now sports 36 points.
Oct 18, 2021 7:17 AM EST
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