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It’s been a nightmare season for the Carolina Panthers, firing their head coach last week amid a one-win campaign. Their rookie quarterback, who they picked with the first overall pick in last year’s draft, has been vastly outplayed by the man selected directly after him, and they sit in the basement of the NFC South. However, the Panthers received more bad news on Wednesday regarding their offensive line. The Panthers have placed offensive guard Chandler Zavala on the injured reserve (IR), per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
#Panthers rookie OL Chandler Zavala, who didn’t practice today because of a knee injury, is being placed on Injured Reserve, source said. He’s out at least four games.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 29, 2023
Zavala left last Sunday’s loss against the Tennessee Titans with a knee injury. Zavala got carted to the locker room, with the Panthers shifting Brett Toth to the left guard position. The 24-year-old did not practice this week before being placed on IR.
Carolina Panthers Offensive Lineman Chandler Zavala: Fourth-Round Draft Pick in 2023
The Panthers burned their fourth-round draft pick on Zavala in last year’s draft. The Florida native earned first-team All-ACC honors as a senior at NC State. He played at Fairmont College from 2017 to 2020, accumulating first-team All-MEC recognition twice. Zavala performed well during North Carolina State’s Pro Day, eventually hearing his name called on day three of the NFL draft. Zavala has played ten games this season while starting seven. He has mainly slotted in at the left guard position. The Panthers have allowed 43 sacks this season, the fourth most in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers: Offensive Line Depth Chart
Brett Toth should handle left guard duties, with Zavala potentially out for the rest of the season. Toth played for the Eagles from 2020 to 2023, seeing action in 17 games. The Panthers signed the Army vet off the Eagles practice squad earlier this year. Carolina also has former sixth-round pick Cade Mays at the other guard position. However, the Georgia product left last Sunday with an ankle injury. With Zavala and Mays out, the Panthers deployed third-stringer Nash Jensen. Jensen signed with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent this offseason.
Regardless of the status of the offensive line, Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback and first-overall pick Bryce Young has struggled. He is near the top of the NFL in getting sacked while posting uninspiring numbers under duress. Young has thrown nine touchdowns to eight interceptions in ten games. Meanwhile, fellow rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, has thrown 19 touchdowns to five picks.
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