The Carolina Panthers are moving starting guard Robert Hunt to injured reserve. Center Austin Corbett will be joining him after incurring serious injuries in Sunday’s 27-22 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Both players were injured in the fourth quarter of the game. That was a big loss to the team’s overall depth as they prepare to open the season at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
Robert Hunt’s injury is particularly concerning, as he will undergo surgery on his left biceps, a procedure that typically ends a player’s season. The Panthers, perhaps more so than any team in the league, are now faced with the challenge of replacing several key contributors on the offensive line. Chandler Zavala, a fourth-round pick from the 2023 draft, will replace Hunt.
Cade Mays started eight games last season while Corbett was working his way back from a torn biceps. Now, he’s inherited the starting center spot. This move further highlights the team’s dependence on their younger assets to step into major roles in what has been a challenging season thus far.
During media availability following the selection of his replacement, Austin Corbett shared his feelings about his persistent struggle with injuries. He stated, “Football sucks. I love this game so much.” His feelings speak to the emotional cost that second and third injuries can extract from athletes. Coach Dave Canales acknowledged the impact of losing both players, stating, “So two studs, two guys that we count in the locker room, on the field, their leadership, their positivity, their hard work, all those things, we’re certainly going to miss those guys being out there.”
Each injury is projected to be an absence of six weeks or more. That leaves open an interesting possibility of Corbett’s return later in the season. It appears unlikely, Coach Canales didn’t completely close the door on the possibility of Corbett coming back during the season. He said it wasn’t clear yet if Corbett would require surgery.
The Panthers need to change their approach fast. They’re preparing to face their divisional foe, the Atlanta Falcons. Not having Hunt or Corbett can have a devastating effect on their offensive performance. This environment creates tremendous pressure on the other players to step up and compensate.
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