Simply put, the Carolina Panthers have endured a rough start to their 2025-26 campaign. After suffering back-to-back losses to open the season, the team has looked out of sync and sluggish on both sides of the ball.
Now, things just got even tougher.
On Monday, devastating news broke regarding injuries to two of Carolina’s starting offensive linemen. According to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, right guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett both sustained significant injuries during the team’s Week 2 loss to the Cardinals.
This development is a crushing blow for a Panthers squad hoping to show improvement and compete for a playoff spot in their second year under head coach Dave Canales.
Hunt, Corbett Injuries a Major Setback
Hunt exited Sunday’s contest in the second quarter after tearing his bicep, an injury that typically requires 6-12 months of recovery. His season is almost certainly over.
Meanwhile, Corbett suffered a Grade 3 MCL sprain in his right knee. This is his second injury of this kind since joining Carolina in 2022. Though his timetable for return is shorter than Hunt’s, Corbett is still expected to miss significant time.
Who Steps Up in Their Absence?
The losses sting even more considering the Panthers’ offensive line was one of the team’s biggest strengths last season. Hunt earned a Pro Bowl nod in his first year in Carolina, helping slash the team’s sacks allowed from 65 in 2023 to just 32 in 2024. As a unit, the group ranked 8th in the league by Pro Football Focus.
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Now, Carolina’s depth will be tested. The two most likely candidates to step in are Chandler Zavala and Cade Mays.
In four seasons with the Panthers, Zavala has flashed potential as a swing guard in spot situations. With Hunt out for the year, the 26-year-old likely finds himself thrust into the spotlight. At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, he possesses a distinct blend of raw power and physicality. Combined with his NFL-caliber frame, those traits make him a handful for opposing defensive linemen.
While replacing Hunt’s impact on the field is virtually impossible, Zavala should be able to step into the starting right guard position. He can give the Panthers some quality snaps.
As for the center spot, Mays is the logical replacement. The 2022 sixth-round pick already has chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young. Young delivered some of his best performances—including last year’s season finale comeback win over Arizona—while working behind Mays. Losing Corbett hurts, but Mays profiles as a dependable replacement. He is well-equipped to handle the duties asked of him in a lead role.
Outlook vs. the Falcons
Looking ahead to Week 3, the Panthers will have their hands full against a formidable Atlanta pass-rush.
During their Week 2 victory against Minnesota, the Falcons posted 6 sacks and 11 quarterback hits on the day, showcasing their unit’s game-breaking ability. Through two games, Atlanta ranks fourth in the league in both pressure rate (46.3%) and sack rate (10.4%).
Still, there are reasons for optimism entering the matchup. Young turned in some of the best performances of his career behind Zavala and Mays last season, and the Panthers hope that continuity can help offset the absence of their starters.
Plain and simple, losing both Corbett and Hunt is a massive setback for Carolina’s offensive line. Their replacements may provide stability, but it will take time for the unit to find its rhythm again.
The Panthers’ depth is about to be tested in a big way, and how well it holds up could define the rest of their season.
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