Carolina Panthers rookie lineman Chandler Zavala carted off in Week 5 game vs Lions
The game between the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions came to an abrupt pause on Sunday due to a medical emergency on the field. Panthers rookie offensive lineman Chandler Zavala collapsed mid-play as he was blocking a Lions defensive lineman and had to take a cart off the field. Luckily, the rookie was able to signal that he was alright with a thumbs up as the cart drove to the locker room.
Due to the injury, the game officials halted play for five minutes to clear up the situation. As Zavala received medical attention, the Lions and Panthers players gathered together around the injured lineman.
According to a spokesperson for the Panthers, Zavala is going to a local hospital for further evaluation on a potential neck injury.
The Panthers social media account tweeted, “Prayers for Chandler Zavala,” after the incident. The organization drafted the former NC State standout with the No. 114 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With the Panthers lineman off the field, Carolina will continue their battle against the Lions. Detroit led 14-0 at the time of Zavala’s exit in the first quarter. However, Bryce Young continued to lead the Panthers down the field for a 14-play, 75-yard scoring drive.
Zavala was playing starting left guard for Carolina prior to his injury. Now, his backup Nash Jensen is filling in next to Ikem Ekwonu.
Panthers looking to establish run game vs Detroit
Carolina is coming off a 21-13 Week 4 home defeat to the Minnesota Vikings, a game in which they accumulated just 232 yards of offense. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young, making his return after being sidelined in Week 3 with an ankle injury, completed 25-of-32 passes for 204 yards. The running game, which has struggled all season, hit rock bottom against Minnesota. Carolina compiled just 83 yards on 31 attempts, with free agent acquisition Miles Sanders going for 19 yards on 13 carries.
Simply put, Carolina must be better at running the football if they stand any chance at pulling off the upset against Detroit. The Lions enter Sunday as the top rushing defense in the NFL, allowing just 60.8 yards per game.
“The urgency and getting out of the huddle stuff, and delay of games, is what’s really killing us – you know, trying to get into a real rhythm,” Sanders said this week. “We can’t really get into a rhythm. Honestly, we’re not playing good football right now. There’s no pointing fingers at anybody but everybody. It’s not just one person. This is everybody that has to do with this. It’s the whole offense. And it’s something we’ve got to change quick, or it’s going to be the tale of this year.”
On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this report.