Tag: Chandler Zavala

Panthers sign G Gabe Jackson to practice squad

With the injuries piling up along their offensive line, the Panthers have signed G Gabe Jackson to their practice squad.

In need of some help along their offensive line, the Carolina Panthers just added one of the biggest hog mollies they could find.

The team announced this afternoon that they have signed guard Gabe Jackson to their practice squad. The 6-foot-3, 335-pounder, as already reported by Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz, had been slated for a visit today.

Jackson, a Mississippi State University product, was taken in the third round of the 2014 NFL draft by the then Oakland Raiders. The 81st overall pick went on to play seven seasons with the organization, recording 99 starts over 100 games.

He was then traded to the Seattle Seahawks following the 2020 campaign in exchange for a fifth-round pick. Jackson proceeded to start in each of his 31 games for Seattle during the 2021 and 2022 season before being released on March 10, 2023.

Not only have the Panthers lost both of their starting guards in Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen for the season, but they also saw youngsters Chandler Zavala and Cade Mays exit with injuries in this past Sunday’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 12 loss to Titans

Bryce Young still finished with one of the best offensive grades for the Panthers in Sunday’s loss to the Titans.

We usually put these things out much earlier in the day. But, uh, a few things kinda sorta happened this morning.

Anyway, here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the Carolina Panthers in their Week 12 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

4 key matchups for Panthers vs. Titans in Week 12

Two very big Derricks are set to clash in Nashville on Sunday.

Can the Carolina Panthers finally get back into the win column this Sunday against the host Tennessee Titans?

If they do, here are four key matchups that’ll him help notch their second victory here in Week 12:

Panthers don’t commit to starting Chandler Zavala at LG for Week 12

Panthers LG Chandler Zavala currently has a 7.2 pass-blocking grade from PFF. HC Frank Reich was non-committal about his status for Week 12.

Last Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers released starting left guard Calvin Throckmorton, giving way to rookie Chandler Zavala. Unfortunately, he’d eventually respond by giving the Dallas Cowboys a way to quarterback Bryce Young.

Zavala, per Pro Football Focus, was responsible for three of the seven sacks absorbed by Young in Sunday’s 33-10 loss to the visiting Cowboys. On Monday, head coach Frank Reich was asked if he had considered implementing a rotation at the position.

“I always talk with Campy [James Campen] beforehand like, ‘Hey, here’s the general plan.’ And we had talked about a possible rotation,” he replied. “There was, at one point, where we were gonna make a rotation then it got later in the game and in the fourth quarter. And so, in-game like that, I just kinda leave it up to the position coaches.

“We talk beforehand, spell it out clearly what we’re lookin’ for. ‘Cause they have a feel, they’re with the guys on the side, they kinda know. And a lot of times, for example, one of the guys will come up and say, ‘Hey, I’m gonna make this switch.’ And I’ll give ’em the thumbs up. That’s always kind of a week-to-week thing.”

Reich was then asked if Zavala would be getting the start against the Tennessee Titans in Week 12.

“We haven’t talked about that yet,” he responded.

The fourth-round pick has now allowed the eighth-most pressures (32) in the entire NFL despite having played in just six games. He’s also earned an almost non-existent 7.2 pass-blocking grade from PFF, by far the lowest amongst all offensive linemen who have appeared in at least five outings.

Second-year guard Cade Mays would, presumably, be the choice if Zavala does not get the nod.

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Best and worst PFF grades from Panthers’ Week 11 loss to Cowboys

Panthers CB Troy Hill earned his team’s highest PFF grade of Week 11.

How did the Carolina Panthers grade out in their ninth loss of the season?

Here are the best and worst Pro Football Focus marks from the 33-10 loss to the Dallas Cowboys:

Chandler Zavala to start at LG in Week 11 vs. Cowboys

Rookie Chandler Zavala will be starting for the Panthers at LG in Week 11.

You don’t often see teams just simply part ways with a starting offensive lineman, especially in today’s NFL. But the Carolina Panthers did it on Tuesday.

Calvin Throckmorton, who had started the last three games at left guard, was released yesterday afternoon. Head coach Frank Reich was asked about the move on Wednesday.

“Hard decision,” Reich replied. “Throck did a good job as a veteran comin’ in here. Very dependable, very smart player. Chandler [Zavala] had been our starter and he got injured and we’re developin’ young guys the whole time. Hey, you never know how this league works out, Throck could be back here sooner rather than later. You never know how things go. But love the contribution that he made and the person he is.”

Reich confirmed that Zavala will resume his starting role at left guard, beginning here in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 2023 fourth-round pick has not played since being carted off with a neck injury in the Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions.

Per Pro Football Focus, Zavala has allowed 27 pressures—the second-most on the team. They have also given the rookie a 9.6 pass-blocking grade, the second-lowest in their entire database for the season.

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Miles Sanders, Xavier Woods return to practice on Wednesday

The Panthers had RB Miles Sanders, S Xavier Woods and G Chandler Zavala back at practice on Wednesday.

Quite a few Carolina Panthers seemed to enjoy their bye week.

The team saw a handful of their players return to the practice field on Wednesday, including running back Miles Sanders. Sanders sat out the Week 6 loss to the Miami Dolphins due to a shoulder injury. He was a full participant this afternoon.

Joining him was safety Xavier Woods, who has missed the past three games with a hamstring issue. Rookie guard Chandler Zavala, who was carted off in the Week 5 trip to Detroit after sustaining a neck injury, returned as well.

Here is the first injury report of the week in its entirety:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
S Vonn Bell Quadriceps DNP
WR Laviska Shenault Jr. Ankle DNP
TE Stephen Sullivan Illness DNP
G Austin Corbett Knee Limited
LB Frankie Luvu Hip Limited
OT Taylor Moton Knee Limited
S Xavier Woods Hamstring Limited
RB Miles Sanders Shoulder Full
G Calvin Throckmorton Calf Full
G Chandler Zavala Neck Full
WR Adam Thielen Rest DNP

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Panthers’ best and worst PFF grades at the bye week

As we take a break this weekend, let’s look at the best and worst PFF grades for the Panthers thus far.

If the 2023 season were a test, the 0-6 Carolina Panthers would be miserably failing. But, hey, at least all the grades aren’t bad.

As we rest on this bye week, let’s take a look at the best and worst Pro Football Focus grades for the team at the checkpoint.

*Players must have played in at least 25 percent of their unit’s snaps to qualify.

Chandler Zavala displaying ‘positive’ signs following neck injury

Panthers HC Frank Reich provided an encouraging update on rookie G Chandler Zavala, who exited Sunday’s loss to the Lions with a neck injury.

Some very good news has come out of an otherwise solemn Sunday for the Carolina Panthers.

Before taking questions from reporters this afternoon, head coach Frank Reich provided an encouraging update on left guard Chandler Zavala—who was carted off the field during yesterday’s loss to the Detroit Lions with a neck injury. Reich confirmed that Zavala traveled back home with the team after being discharged from a Detroit hospital last night and stated that all signs, thus far, are “positive” for the 24-year-old.

He also, based on early indications, said the injury is a “really bad stinger.”

That would, given the scary nature of the Week 5 scene, be an extremely promising diagnosis for Zavala. The rookie, following a run in the first quarter, laid face down and motionless until trainers tended to him.

Zavala would be placed in a stretcher and moved to a cart, where he’d then give the crowd at Ford Field a much-welcomed thumbs up on the way out.

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Chandler Zavala sustains neck injury, carted off after scary scene

Panthers rookie G Chandler Zavala was carted off the field on Sunday after sustaining a neck injury.

A loud and exciting environment at Ford Field quickly turned into a scary and solemn scene early in Week 5.

In the first quarter of Sunday’s matchup between the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions, rookie left guard Chandler Zavala sustained what was later confirmed as a neck injury. The 24-year-old—who remained face down at the conclusion of a run—had to be tended to by trainers, loaded into a stretcher and carted off following a long pause in the action.

Zavala was, thankfully, able to give the crowd a thumbs up as he was transported off the field. The Panthers have since announced that Zavala is being taken to a hospital for further evaluation.

Carolina selected Zavala in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft. After missing some time during the summer with a hamstring injury, the 114th overall pick went on to start in each of the team’s five regular-season outings.

Second-year lineman Cade Mays has come in as Zavala’s replacement.

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