Samuel to have surgery
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Curtis Samuel is done for the year. The Panthers announced Tuesday that he will undergo season-ending surgery on his left ankle and will be placed on injured reserve.
That means Carolina (7-3) will be looking for a new starting wide receiver heading into the bye week.
Samuel injured his ankle in the third quarter of Carolina’s 45-21 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Monday night when a defensive player rolled over his ankle in the end zone. The team didn’t release the specific injury to Samuel’s ankle.
Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula wouldn’t say who would replace Samuel in the starting lineup.
The Panthers traded starting wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin two weeks ago to Buffalo in an effort to get more speed on the field. Carolina’s offense has excelled since then, racking up a franchise record 548 yards and 30 first downs against Miami.
Samuel had five catches for 45 yards against the Dolphins, but did drop a touchdown pass on the play in which he was hurt.
Russell Shepard would be one likely candidate to replace Samuel, but Kaelin Clay and Brenton Bersin could also see increased action. Wide receiver Damiere Byrd is eligible to return Dec. 3 from injured reserve.
Kalil facing charges MINNEAPOLIS — Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Matt Kalil is facing criminal charges of selling alcohol to a minor at his Minnesota pizza restaurant, even though he wasn’t present when the transaction occurred.
A charging document said a 17-year-old server at Kalil’s Pieology Pizza in a Twin Cities suburb sold a beer to a 19-year-old woman Oct. 26. A police officer intervened and contacted the general manager. The former Minnesota Vikings lineman owns Pieology Pizza franchising rights in Minnesota.
The charges said Kalil is responsible for the illegal sale because he’s the owner. No one else was charged in the case.
Kalil has been summoned to appear in court Dec. 15. Kalil’s agent did not immediately return a call for comment. Kalil could not immediately
be reached through the Panthers organization.
Access limited for Olsen
MINNEAPOLIS — Fox is limiting the amount of pre-game access to the Minnesota Vikings this week for guest analyst Greg Olsen, in response to concerns raised by the team about an opposing player on the broadcast crew.
The Vikings host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, when Olsen and the Carolina Panthers are on their bye. Olsen has missed the last eight games with a broken foot, but he could return from injured reserve in a week. The Vikings play Dec. 10 at the Panthers.
Fox Sports issued a statement Tuesday confirming the restriction for Olsen, the three-time Pro Bowl tight end. Fox officials said they “fully respect” the concerns of the Vikings.
Matt Hasselbeck (2014) and Marcus Allen (1994) are other players who’ve worked as analysts for Fox while still an active player.