Zavala (knee) played 22 offensive snaps during Carolina's 19-10 preseason loss to the Steelers on Thursday, Kassidy Hill and Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site report.
Zavala missed much of training camp due to a knee injury, but he's managed to meet the goal that coach Dave Canales had previously set of returning in time for Carolina's preseason finale. The 2023 fourth-round pick is set to handle a backup role at guard this season, and he could be tasked with stepping up immediately if Damien Lewis (guard) is less than 100 percent for Week 1.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Aiming for late-August return
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Panthers head coach Dave Canales relayed Monday that the team hopes Zavala (knee) can be back in time for the preseason matchup against Pittsburgh on Thursday, Aug. 21, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Zavala hurt his knee in late July and wasn't able to play in Carolina's first preseason contest this past Friday. It sounds like he'll miss this Saturday's contest against Houston as well, though the NC State product could be back for the team's third's preseason game. Zavala is slated to function in a rotational role at guard this season.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Dealing with knee injury
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Head coach Dave Canales told reporters Tuesday that Zavala is considered "week-to-week" with a patella injury that he suffered during Monday's training camp practice, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.
The injury puts Zavala in jeopardy of missing the Panthers' preseason opener against the Browns on Aug. 8. The 2023 fourth-rounder started in two games in 2024 and is expected to be Carolina's top backup offensive guard. Zavala's absence opens the door for Ja'Tyre Carter and Jarrett Kingston to get more reps at guard during practice and preseason games.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Returns Tuesday
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Zavala (hamstring) was spotted participating in Tuesday's practice, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Zavala has been dealing with a hamstring issue initially believed to be a long-term concern, but he returned to the field just five days after sustaining the injury. Now that Zavala has returned to full health, he's expected to serve as Carolina's top backup offensive guard in 2024.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Could miss extended time
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Zavala is dealing with a hamstring injury that may not be short-term, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Zavala ended last season on injured reserve due to a knee injury but recovered during the offseason and suited up for the Panthers' preseason opener last Thursday versus New England. However, he's now dealing with a hamstring issue that head coach Dave Canales said "could be a longer deal." Zavala is expected to fill a reserve role at guard if he's healthy enough to suit up when the regular season kicks off.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Appears in entire game
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Zavala played every snap of Carolina's preseason defeat to New England on Thursday, Kassidy Hill and Darin Gantt of the team's official site report.
Zavala is now back and fully healthy after a knee injury kept him on IR during a bulk of the 2023 season. The 6-foot-5 offensive guard is currently sitting at the second-string left guard spot behind Damien Lewis but could see elevated opportunities if he continues to play well during the preseason.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Placed on injured reserve
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The Panthers placed Zavala (knee) on injured reserve Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Zavala will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury during Sunday's loss to the Titans. Cade Mays (ankle) should start at left guard in Zavala's place, and Carolina will now be without both starting guards, as Austin Corbett (knee) is also on injured reserve.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Returns to practice Wednesday
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Zavala (neck) was a full participant in Carolina's practice Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.
Zavala returned to practice after missing the team's Week 6 loss to the Dolphins with a neck injury. The 24-year-old should now return to his starting spot at left guard for Sunday's matchup with the Texans.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Back with team
Rotowire
Zavala (neck) was able to fly back with the Panthers to Charlotte, Darin Gantt of Carolina's official website reports.
Zavala suffered a scary neck injury that required the medical staff to take him off the field on a backboard in the first half of Sunday's loss to the Lions, but he was checked out at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit and ultimately was able to travel with his team back to Charlotte. The offensive lineman seems likely to miss some action moving forward, but considering how serious the injury looked, Zavala's ability to return to the Panthers is a positive turn of events.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Has movement in extremities
Rotowire
Zavala is alert and has movement in all of his extremities after being taken to a Detroit hospital as a result of suffering a neck injury in Sunday's contest against the Lions, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
In a scary scene during the first quarter, Zavala lay motionless on the field for several minutes before being carted to the locker room. The rookie was able to give a thumbs-up signal as he was being taken away, and early signs from the hospital appear to be promising. Zavala was replaced at left guard by Cade Mays following his departure.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Injures hamstring
Rotowire
Zavala is expected to miss a couple of weeks with a hamstring injury, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Zavala was already dealing with a pectoral injury that landed him on the PUP list and is now dealing with a hamstring injury as well. The rookie fourth-round pick will look to get healthy ahead of the start of the regular season and push to log some preseason action.
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Panthers' Chandler Zavala: Misses Tuesday's practice
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Zavala (pec) was absent from the Panthers' mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Anthony Rizzuti of Yahoo Sports reports.
The 2023 fourth-round selection should compete for the starting spot at right guard, as Carolina's usual starting right guard Austin Corbett is expected to miss the beginning of the year. Head coach Frank Reich told reporters that Zavala will "be fine for training camp." and that he "just needs time to recover."
