Chandler Zavala – Syndication Server

Key matchups for Panthers vs. Bengals in Week 4

Once a weakness, the Panthers’ offensive line has proven to be a major strength this season. But they’ll have to deal with a big loss in Week 4.

Which sets of claws should we be focusing on in Sunday’s cat fight at Bank of America Stadium?

Here are four key matchups for the Week 4 clash between the Carolina Panthers and the Cincinnati Bengals:

Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard vs. Bengals’ front seven

Quarterback Andy Dalton may have been the star in Carolina’s stunning 36-22 upset win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but it was Hubbard who was the engine. The fourth-year back rushed for 114 yards on 21 carries while adding another 55 yards and a score on five catches.

Hubbard will be facing a Bengals defense that has allowed 142.3 rushing yards per game, the seventh-most in the league.

Panthers LG Chandler Zavala vs. Bengals DT Zach Carter

Hubbard can find some more holes with the help of Zavala, who will be starting in place of an injured Damien Lewis. The second-year lineman will have to step up in pass protection as well, as Lewis’ 80.9 pass-blocking grade ranks sixth amongst all NFL guards.

He’ll be matching up against a fellow spot starter in Carter, who’s in for Sheldon Rankins. Carter got the start in last week’s loss to the Washington Commanders, where he recorded half a sack.

Panthers CB Jaycee Horn vs. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase

Cincinnati’s Week 4 loss to the Commanders also saw Chase hit the end zone for the first time in 2024. In fact, he hit it twice—once on a 41-yarder and once on a 31-yarder.

Horn, who had Las Vegas Raiders star Davante Adams strapped in last Sunday, will have to prevent Chase from finding the big play with quarterback Joe Burrow.

Panthers CB Mike Jackson vs. Bengals WR Tee Higgins

We have another intriguing wideout vs. corner battle, as Jackson has proved to be quite a late-summer find for Carolina. The sixth-year vet notched a team-high nine tackles and an interception in Week 3, further solidifying his role as the No. 2 across from Horn.

He’ll have his hands full with Higgins, who is fresh off his season debut.

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Biggest storylines for Panthers vs. Bengals in Week 4

Panthers QB Andy Dalton will have the chance to scratch his former team quite deeply on Sunday.

Bank of America Stadium will play host to a rather intriguing cat fight on Sunday.

The 0-3 Cincinnati Bengals, an AFC favorite just a few short weeks ago, are attempting to save their season while the 1-2 Carolina Panthers, who faced very little expectations, have seemingly just revived theirs.

So as the claws get closer to coming out, let’s look at the biggest storylines heading into this Week 4 matchup . . .

Cool Cat

Carolina’s aforementioned revival was sparked by quarterback Andy Dalton, who made his first start since replacing 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The 14th-year veteran kickstarted the offense in a cool and collected performance—as he completed 26 of his 37 throws for 319 yards, three touchdowns and no turnovers.

Dalton’s veteran presence brought some much-needed stability under center, where the 23-year-old Young faltered to begin his sophomore campaign. The Panthers, for the first time since 2022, hit the 400-yard mark while successfully converting five third-down tries—three more than the unit amassed in Young’s two starts combined.

Will Dalton be able to keep the offense and the good vibes going?

Oh! And you may have heard this a time or two over the past few days, but Dalton kinda sorta played for the Bengals earlier in his NFL career. So, yeah, that seems somewhat pertinent as well.

Scratched

Much of Dalton’s success min Week 3 can be attributed to his offensive line, which has been one of the league’s most reliable in pass protection thus far. (Didn’t think you’d be reading that about a Carolina Panthers offensive line, did you?)

The group, however, will be without starting left guard Damien Lewis—who will sit out due to his UCL tear. Lewis, like his fellow hog mollies, has shined to start the season—as his 80.9 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus ranks sixth amongst all guards.

There’s also a chance that Carolina may not have starting right guard Robert Hunt either. Hunt did not finish practice on Friday due to a hip injury and is listed as questionable.

Second-year lineman and 2024 fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala, like he did for 22 snaps in the Week 3 win, will take over for Lewis. And if Hunt cannot go, the versatile Brady Christensen would be in his stead.

With the offense getting on track behind Dalton and looking to further establish the run behind a hot Chuba Hubbard, Zavala (and perhaps Christensen) must step up to keep the machine moving.

Here, Kitty, Kitty

Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If you were told prior to the season that one of these two teams would be winless heading into their Week 4 matchup, we’re willing to bet that you didn’t think it’d be the Bengals.

Well, it is indeed the Bengals—and they’re one loss away from essentially ending their season. There’s only one team in NFL history (the 1992 San Diego Chargers) that made the postseason after starting 0-4, so the situation is extremely dire.

Unbelievably enough, the Panthers have a chance to bury these cats in their backyard on Sunday.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 3 win over Raiders

Chuba Hubbard is now the owner of PFF’s highest single-game offensive grade for the Panthers here in 2024.

The Carolina Panthers finally put some pretty football on tape.

Here are the best (and worst) Pro Football Focus grades from Week 3’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders:

Best of the offense

1. RB Chuba Hubbard: 90.6
2. QB Andy Dalton: 78.8
3. WR Diontae Johnson: 77.1
4. LT Ikem Ekwonu: 76.2
5. WR Adam Thielen: 70.4

For the first time since 2022, Carolina had a 300-yard passer (Dalton), a 100-yard rusher (Hubbard) and a 100-yard receiver (Johnson) in a single game. Hubbard’s 90.6 overall offensive grade is the highest for any Panther in 2024.

Ekwonu turned in his best outing of the campaign, earning season-highs in pass-blocking (72.6) and run-blocking (83.1) marks.

Worst of the offense

15. WR Xavier Legette: 54.6
16. RG Brady Christensen: 54.1
17. TE Tommy Tremble: 52.0
18. LG Chandler Zavala: 48.2
19. TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: 43.1

Zavala came in for 22 snaps following the elbow injury to starting left guard Damien Lewis. He did not allow a single pressure, but was hit with a 58.0 run-blocking grade.

Best of the defense

1. DT A’Shawn Robinson: 82.5
2. CB Troy Hill: 79.4
3. DT Jayden Peevy: 74.1
4. ILB Josey Jewell: 73.6
5. OLB Tarron Jackson: 69.6

Robinson picked up the slack in the absence of fellow starting defensive lineman Shy Tuttle, tallying five pressures and a stop. Peevy also stood tall, recording a pair of pressures and a pair of stops.

Worst of the defense

15. FS Xavier Woods: 51.0
16. ILB Trevin Wallace: 49.7
17. DT DeShawn Williams: 49.4
18. SS Nick Scott: 48.4
19. SS Jammie Robinson: 41.2

Wallace was charged with wideout Jakobi Meyers’ 13-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

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Initial 53-man roster projection for the 2024 Panthers

Here is our final projection for the Panthers’ initial 2024 53-man roster:

Now that the preseason is officially in the books, the Carolina Panthers have another task to tackle—the big cutdown.

Between now and 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Panthers and the rest of the NFL’s 31 teams must get down to their initial 53-player rosters.

Here is our final projection for Carolina’s initial 53:

Quarterbacks (2)

In: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Out: Jack Plummer

Plummer impressed in the summer finale, completing 21 of his 29 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. But that still won’t be enough to devote a third spot on the roster to a quarterback.

Running backs (4)

In: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Out: Jaden Shirden
Reserve/NFI list: Jonathon Brooks

Boone has benefitted from the inactivity of both Blackshear and Brooks, who isn’t expected back for at least a handful of weeks into the regular season. And luckily for the former, his successful track record as a kick returner keeps him around.

Wide receivers (6)

In: Diontae Johnson, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Out: Terrace Marshall Jr., Michael Strachan, Jalen Coker, Sam Pinckney

The sixth and final spot came down to Marshall Jr. and Moore. Moore’s experience on special teams and his previous history with head coach Dave Canales in both Seattle and Tampa Bay give him the edge.

Tight ends (4)

In: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Out: Feleipe Franks, Jacob Hollister, Jesper Horsted

Matthews earned his spot with a spectacular summer. The 32-year-old opened the preseason with a team-high 48 receiving yards in New England and ended it with a touchdown to kick off the last outing in Buffalo.

Offensive linemen (9)

In: Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala
Out: Ricky Lee, Jeremiah Crawford, Mason Brooks, Andrew Raym, Jack Anderson, Ike Boettger, Tyler Smith

Given that he’s the only true center on the roster, Raym has a shot to stick on. But the versatility of backups such as Nijman, Christensen and Mays allows the Panthers to keep the number of hog mollies at nine.

Defensive linemen (5)

In: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Out: Jaden Crumedy, T.J. Smith, Ulomoo Ale, Jayden Peevy, Walter Palmore, Junior Aho

Crumedy, the team’s sixth-round selection from this spring, could be in trouble while dealing a high-ankle sprain. So could Smith, who’d be a favorite to sneak back on as a practice squad member after recording a pair of sacks this preseason.

Outside linebackers (5)

In: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain
Out: Cam Gill, Derrick McLendon, Kenny Dyson
Reserve/Physically unable to perform list: D.J. Wonnum, Amaré Barno

Vilain and Gill could be battling for the fifth locker. But if it actually doesn’t go to either, look for the Panthers to pick up a pass rusher off the street.

Inside linebackers (4)

In: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
Out: Chandler Wooten, Tae Davis, Aaron Beasley

Canales does not take special teams prowess for granted. Cherelus and Wooten could claim spots with theirs.

Cornerbacks (6)

In: Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D’Shawn Jamison
Out: Willie Drew, Chris Wilcox, Quandre Mosely
Injured: Dane Jackson

The “significant” hamstring injury to Jackson (Dane, that is) could force the Panthers to keep a few outside options—including both Bootle and Jamison.

Safeties (5)

In: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook
Out: Demani Richardson, Rudy Ford
Injured: Sam Franklin Jr.

As Canales has stated, there’s no replacing Franklin Jr.—who will be out for quite a bit while healing up a broken foot. Cook, however, could give the Panthers a little bit back on special teams.

Specialists (3)

In: Eddy Piñeiro, Johnny Hekker, JJ Jansen

Well, nothing to see here.

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Panthers ‘concerned’ with hamstring injury to G Chandler Zavala

Panthers HC Dave Canales expressed some concern about the knee injury sustained by G Chandler Zavala on Thursday.

The hopes of a bounce-back season for second-year guard Chandler Zavala may have been hampered on Thursday.

Last year’s fourth-round selection sustained a hamstring injury during this morning’s joint practice between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets. Panthers head coach Dave Canales didn’t seem too positive about the status of the 25-year-old moving forward.

“So, we’re concerned about that one,” Canales said while listing off today’s setbacks to reporters. “Feels like it could be a little bit of a longer deal. And he was doing fantastic in this camp.”

Zavala had himself a particularly rough rookie campaign in 2023. Pro Football Focus charged the young hog molly with the 14th-most pressures amongst all guards (33) as well as a 7.1 pass-blocking grade—by far the lowest amongst all players at his position with at least 300 snaps.

He’d also miss much of his first NFL season due to neck and knee injuries.

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Panthers’ 2023 rookie class ranked amongst worst in NFL

The Panthers didn’t get much of a return on their rookie class this past season.

Even with the No. 1 pick heading the pack, the Carolina Panthers’ rookie class fell far behind.

NFL.com analysts Eric Edholm and Chad Reuter recently ran back to the 2023 draft board and ranked last spring’s hauls. Down all the way at No. 28 are the Panthers, who received a ‘D+’ grade.

Edholm writes of first overall pick Bryce Young:

The prime disappointment was Young’s rookie season. The No. 1 overall pick started 16 games, and it was tough sledding for most of it. The environment seemed extremely unfavorable for learning on the fly, with the Panthers lacking elite weapons and cohesion on the offensive line. Carolina also fired head coach Frank Reich midseason, and it’s fair to wonder if turmoil on the coaching staff stunted Young’s growth. Tight end Hayden Hurst said after the season he thought Young had “too many voices in his head” during the trying season.

Young finished the campaign averaging 179.8 passing yards per contest with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. So, no, that’s not a lot of bang for Carolina’s big-time buck.

The Panthers didn’t get much of a return on the rest of the kids they drafted either. Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo amassed just 418 yards and no touchdowns, outside linebacker DJ Johnson had as many quarterback hits as your grandmother did, guard Chandler Zavala finished with the worst Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade (7.1) amongst all linemen with at least seven appearances and safety Jammie Robinson played in just 64 defensive snaps.

To add insult to insult, the Houston Texans—who picked behind the Panthers to start the festivities—ranked atop the list.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ 2023 season

PFF’s best and worst grades for the Carolina Panthers in 2023

Pencils down, players!

With the 2023 test officially over, let’s see which Carolina Panthers received the highest and lowest grades from Pro Football Focus.

Panthers place Jonathan Mingo on injured reserve

Jonathan Mingo’s rookie season is officially over, as the Panthers have placed the young wideout on injured reserve.

Jonathan Mingo’s rookie campaign is officially over.

The Carolina Panthers announced that they have placed the first-year wide receiver on injured reserve this afternoon. He will not, obviously, be available for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a foot injury.

A standout at the University of Mississippi, Mingo was taken by the Panthers in the second round of this past year’s draft. But the 39th overall selection, much like the rest of the Carolina offense, did not make much of a splash in 2023.

Mingo ends his season having reeled in 43 receptions for 418 yards and no touchdowns over 15 games. He also finishes with the third-lowest catch rate in the league at 50.6 percent—besting only New York’s Allen Lazard (46.9) and Arizona’s Marquise Brown (50.5).

The 22-year-old is now the second member of the Panthers’ 2023 draft class to have his season cut short. Guard and fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala was placed on injured reserve back on Nov. 29 due to a knee issue.

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Panthers’ updated practice squad after addition of Deonte Brown

Panthers’ updated 16-man practice squad following Thursday’s return of Deonte Brown

The Carolina Panthers brought back a familiar face to their practice squad on Thursday, adding guard Deonte Brown at the expense of quarterback Jake Luton.

Brown’s return may not be too surprising considering the current state (or whatever’s left of it) of Carolina’s interior offensive line. With Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett and Chandler Zavala now all lost for the rest of the season, the 2021 sixth-round pick could provide some insurance to a battered front.

Let’s take an updated look at the practice squad with Brown, once again, in the fold:

Panthers placing Chandler Zavala on injured reserve

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Panthers are placing rookie G Chandler Zavala on injured reserve.

A rough season has gotten even rougher for Carolina Panthers guard Chandler Zavala.

As first reported by NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the rookie offensive lineman is being placed on injured reserve. He will now, per the team’s official release, miss the remainder of the campaign due to the knee injury he sustained in this past Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.

The Panthers selected Zavala in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft. A hamstring injury would delay the youngster’s summer debut, as he spent the early portion of training camp on the team’s active/physically unable to perform list.

Despite that, Zavala returned in time to claim the starting job at right guard to begin the regular season. He would, however, suffer another setback—as the 6-foot-5, 332-pounder was carted off the field in the team’s Week 5 outing against the Detroit Lions with a neck injury.

Zavala would miss the next four games due to a stinger. He returned in Week 11 as the starting left guard.

Per Pro Football Focus, Zavala has allowed 33 pressures over 233 pass-blocking opportunities. His 7.1 pass-blocking grade is the worst amongst all offensive linemen who have played in at least five games this season.

As a measure of insurance for their battered interior line, which will also be without Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen, the Panthers added nine-year veteran Gabe Jackson to the practice squad.

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