CHARLOTTE — The Panthers built a deep offensive line for cases like this, but they were hoping to not need it this soon.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that both center Austin Corbett and right guard Robert Hunt were headed to injured reserve after injuries suffered in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.
That will rule them out for at least the next four weeks, but the door isn't closed to a return later in the year.
Both left the game in the second half, and did not return.
Corbett re-injured the MCL in his left knee, the same one he tore the ACL in during the 2022 finale, and had a subsequent MCL injury in 2023 upon his return.
Hunt suffered a torn left biceps, and left the stadium in a sling Sunday night before coming home for an MRI.
Hunt's coming off his first Pro Bowl season, after he was signed in free agency last year to help stabilize the line — which he did. The Panthers went from allowing 65 sacks in 2023 to just 26 last year with the arrival of Hunt and left guard Damien Lewis.
Chandler Zavala replaced Hunt in the lineup, and Cade Mays came in at center, and Canales said how that's how they'll proceed this week as they prepare for the Falcons.
Mays also replaced Corbett at center last year when he suffered a torn biceps tendon, and started eight of the last nine games (missing one with an illness).
The Panthers brought back their entire offensive line from last season, re-signing Corbett, Christensen, and Mays, while extending right tackle Taylor Moton. The top nine linemen from last year in snaps played returned, giving them a rare continuity and depth.
Now, they're going to have to use it.
Check out some of the best shots from the Panthers' Week 2 game against the Cardinals.
