Panthers to play waiting game on Gross, Otah

Sep 29, 2008 - 7:04 PM CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) - Carolina Panthers coach John Fox had little to update on the condition of his battered offensive line.

Left tackle Jordan Gross suffered a concussion and rookie right tackle Jeff Otah sprained his right ankle in Sunday's 24-9 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

Gross' injury was the more serious of the two. He was kneed in the head with 9:45 to play in the opening quarter and knocked unconscious.

After laying face down on the turf for several moments, Gross finally sat up and then walked off the field.

"I saw him after the game. He's good. He felt fine," Fox said. "We were real relieved that there was not a neck injury involved. After that, it's something we can deal with."

Fox said it is too early to tell whether Gross will be available for next week's home game vs. Kansas City.

"We just rely on what the doctors say," Fox said. "They're way further along in evaluating that than they were, say, 15 years ago - 'they' being the doctors. We just rely on what the medical people say and go from there."

Otah, one of the team's two first-round picks in April, was injured in the third quarter. He also did not return, leaving the Panthers perilously thin along the offensive line.

"Typically you go into a game with seven linemen dressed," Fox said. "We were at that limit in (the fourth quarter), and really, the next step was going to be (tight end) Jeff King."

Fox said he didn't think Otah could have returned to the game, but the rookie was optimistic about being ready for next week's game.

"It's a little strain but it's feeling better," Otah said. "I am going to ice it and get ready for next Sunday."