Keith Kirkwood, Carolina Panthers. (Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Keith Kirkwood had to be stretchered off the field in practice.
A scary moment occurred at Carolina Panthers training camp, as wide receiver Keith Kirkwood was stretched off the practice field after he sustained a hit to the head by rookie safety JT Ibe.
Ibe was kicked out of Panthers practice for his hit on Kirkwood. Though practice came to a halt for 12 minutes, it resumed once Kirkwood was stretchered off the field out of an abundance of caution. Thankfully, he was able to move his arms and legs while he was still on the field. Though guys are out there competing for jobs, you never want to see a teammate get stretchered off it.
It is Kirkwood’s second year with the Panthers playing for former Temple head coach Matt Rhule.
Carolina Panthers WR Keith Kirkwood stretchered off field during training camp
While Kirkwood only one reception for 13 yards in his one game with the 2020 Panthers, he is a Temple guy, and that matters a ton for Rhule’s football team. Temple is one of the schools of note that Rhule coached at before becoming the Panthers head coach last season. Even though Temple Tough runs through all the Owls’ blood, past and present, this was still a scary moment at camp.
Overall, Carolina is not expected to make the NFC playoffs this year. The Panthers will likely duke it out for third place in the NFC South with the Atlanta Falcons. While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to win the division crown, should the New Orleans Saints stumble in their first season without Drew Brees, maybe either Atlanta or Carolina could take advantage and finish in second?
While Kirkwood was able to move in his limbs, this was a frightening moment for the Panthers.