Free-agent offensive guard Damien Lewis plans to sign with the Carolina Panthers in free agency this week for four years and $53 million, according to sources. The deal includes $26.2 million guaranteed. The Panthers made a serious effort to improve their offensive line in front of young quarterback Bryce Young on Monday by adding both Lewis and guard Robert Hunt, who signed a whopping five-year, $100 million contract. Lewis, who turns 27 on March 21, ranked 41st among all guards in the NFL in pass-block win rate in 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks while starting all but one game. Lewis is 32nd in the league in the same statistic among all guards over his four NFL seasons after he was taken in the third round by Seattle in 2020 out of LSU. He started at left guard the last three seasons for Seattle and has started 61 of a possible 67 regular-season games in his career, so he'll provide needed stability on the O-line for Carolina.
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said that X-rays on offensive lineman Damien Lewis' right ankle were negative and he's just dealing with a lateral sprain. "We got very very fortunate there," Carroll said. Lewis was injured in the preseason loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday night. The 25-year-old had to be carted off the field and was placed in an air cast, so it didn't look good initially. However, there's no timetable for his return and he could be in danger of missing the Week 1 Monday night contest against the Denver Broncos.
Seahawks Gain More Offensive Line Help In Damien Lewis
The Seattle Seahawks have selected LSU offensive guard Damien Lewis with the No. 69 pick during the third round. Protecting quarterback Russell Wilson has been tough for Seattle over the last couple of seasons. Drafting a guy like Lewis will definitely help fix that problem. He's above average when it comes to movement, but he lacks agility at times. Lewis gives Seattle much-needed depth at the offensive guard spot. It shouldn't take him long before he's starting for the Seahawks.
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