The Carolina Panthers seemingly have a natural fix to replace Brady Christensen. But, according to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, that fix is becoming a natural elsewhere.
Brown spoke with reporters before Thursday’s practice and was asked about moving rookie Chandler Zavala to left guard in place of Christensen, who will miss the remainder of the season with a biceps injury. But he said Zavala, who manned the left side in college, will likely be staying right where he is.
“A couple reasons why,” Brown said of the choice to keep Zavala at right guard. “One, just obviously the continuity of what he’s already built there so far.”
The fourth-round pick played a steady left guard for North Carolina State University between 2021 and 2022. In fact, he played the first of those alongside current Panthers left tackle Ikem Ekwonu.
But, with usual starting right guard Austin Corbett beginning the campaign on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, Zavala seized the opportunity there. His first NFL game, at least by Pro Football Focus’ measures, was a bit of rough one—having allowed eight pressures of quarterback Bryce Young in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Per head coach Frank Reich—Cade Mays, Nash Jensen and Justin McCray are the team’s options to replace Christensen.
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