Carolina Panthers lineman Taylor Moton returns to practice after lung clots

Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Taylor Moton returned to the practice field this week after recovering from a life-threatening episode involving blood clots in his right lung. The 31-year-old, who was placed on the non-football injury list in July, has spent the offseason exclusively as a patient rather than a football player.

Moton described the onset of the emergency to reporters at his locker on Tuesday. He said he was about to take a nap when he felt severe chest congestion. Initially assuming it was a minor issue, he soon tasted blood in his mouth. "I started coughing up blood and it was like a lot of it," Moton said, noting that he could feel it leaking through his chest. After roughly 15 minutes, he decided to seek medical attention.

At the hospital, doctors performed CT scans and ultrasounds which revealed what Moton described as "a multitude of clots in my right lung." The episode was severe enough that blood was splattered across his chest, and medical staff worked urgently to stabilize him. Moton noted that doctors have not yet determined the underlying cause of the clots. He is currently taking blood thinners, a treatment that prevented him from engaging in contact activities due to the risk of internal bleeding, including brain bleeds.

The situation drew attention because of the dangers associated with pulmonary thromboembolism. Jason Jenkins, senior vice president of the Miami Dolphins, died in 2022 from a bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism due to phlebothrombosis. Jenkins suffered the event in his office at the team's training facility after months of complaining about pain in his legs caused by clots. Reports had linked Moton's condition to similar clotting issues since June, raising concerns among those familiar with the risks.

Moton has been working to regain his physical conditioning during his recovery period. He faces a 21-day window to reach game-ready shape before a decision is made regarding his availability for the season. The Panthers are dealing with injuries on their offensive line and need him back as soon as possible. The experience has altered his perspective on life and football. "When you see the blood, you start thinking the worst," Moton said. He added that surviving the episode gave him more gratitude for life in general and allows him to count his blessings for still being able to see his family.