According to a report by Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, Panthers left tackle Russell Okung is considering retiring from football over his concerns about the coronavirus. Fowler says Okung thought about opting out of the 2020 NFL season before Thursday’s 4:00 p.m. deadline. Now that that deadline has passed, Okung’s only way out may be an early retirement.
Even before the pandemic put sports in jeopardy, Okung’s health was a big question mark going into this year. He missed 10 games last season due to a pulmonary embolism, which puts him at more risk than the average athlete.
Bottom line, Okung has to do the best thing for his health and his family.
That said, leaving at this juncture would be a devastating blow for Carolina’s offense. Remember, they traded their best offensive lineman, right guard Trai Turner – to the Chargers for Okung back in March in one of the most lopsides trades in the history of the franchise.
The trade was bad enough. If Okung retires now it would put the Panthers in a bind at a critical position just a month before the season begins.
If Okung decides to walk away, the best candidate to start at left tackle would be last year’s second-round pick Greg Little, who missed 12 games as a rookie due to various injuries.
