Panthers’ Otah back from concussion; Godfrey unknown.
“He looked good,” said Panthers coach Ron Rivera.
Otah’s time on the field has been limited since he started 25 games in his first two seasons. He missed all of the 2010 season, then sat out most of this season’s training camp, playing only in the Panthers’ final exhibition.
“The one nice thing about the situation in training camp, Jeff was very astute about what to do to (keep in) shape,” said Rivera. “He kept working out and stayed in condition as best as he could last week.”
Godfrey also sustained a concussion against the Packers. Rivera said Godfrey was lightheaded on Monday and is going through the team’s protocol on treating potential concussions.
“I guess the answer is yes,” Rivera said to a question about whether Godfrey had a concussion. “To what degree, I don’t know.”
Rivera said Jordan Pugh would likely replace Godfrey.
DAVIS’S REPLACEMENT: Linebacker Thomas Davis, who’s out for the season with a torn ACL, walked through the locker room but didn’t speak with reporters. Davis, who hasn’t had surgery on the knee yet, will be replaced at weakside linebacker by third-year player Jason Williams.
“I need to take every opportunity for what it is and make the most of it,” said Williams, who started two games for the Panthers last season before tearing his own ACL. “I have to reassure the coaches that they can trust me. I have to perform up their standards and do what they need me to do.”
Williams says he’s still wearing a brace on his left knee from the injury he suffered against the Seattle Seahawks. He played four games for the Panthers after starting the season in Dallas.
“An ACL is one of those things,” Williams said. “Until the brace comes off, you don’t feel 100 percent. Right now, I have confidence in my knee. I trust it. But an ACL is an injury that takes 12-14 months to heal. But I feel good to go.”
Dan Connor replaces Beason, who is lost for the season with an Achilles tendon injury, at middle linebacker and James Anderson will start at strongside linebacker.
HOGAN OPTIMISTIC: Rookie cornerback Brandon Hogan, on the physically unable to perform list following December ACL surgery, thinks he’ll be eligible to play after Week 6.
“I’ve just been doing everything the doctors have been telling me rehab-wise, running-wise,” said Hogan, the Panthers’ fourth-round pick out of West Virginia. “So hopefully by then I’ll be ready to go. I think I can step in and help a little bit.”