GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Panthers nearly finished a comeback for the ages Sunday, but they also finished the game without two of their starting offensive linemen.
And there's concern about both.
Center Austin Corbett left the game with a left knee injury and had a large bag of ice wrapped around it in the locker room. He was clearly emotional as he left the room since it's the same knee as his torn ACL from 2022.
Right guard Robert Hunt suffered a biceps injury and said, "I felt something in there, we'll see tomorrow," and left with his left arm in a sling.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said both players would get tests when they got back to Charlotte, and offered no updates in the moments after the 27-22 loss to the Cardinals.
"Football sucks, but I love this game so much," Corbett replied when asked what he thought when he went down late in the second half. "Just immediately, just staying positive. I don't know.
"I just told the docs we'll figure it out tomorrow, so get an MRI and go from there."
When he was asked if the fact that he was standing there under his own power was a good sign, he shook his head.
"No, I did the same thing, walked off the field when I tore my ACL," he replied. "You never know. We'll figure it out.
Corbett has been plagued by injuries since that ACL tear in the 2022 finale, including an MCL injury in the same knee after his comeback, and a torn biceps tendon last year that ended his season.
Hunt was equally muted, as Corbett helped him pull his shirt on over his shoulders as they packed for the trip home.
He said he talked to backup lineman Brady Christensen about his injury (Christensen suffered a biceps tear in the 2023 opener and was lost for the season).
"He gave me some nice words, so hopefully it will be good," Hunt said quietly.
Cade Mays replaced Corbett at center down the stretch, as he did last year for the second half of the season.
Chandler Zavala replaced Hunt at guard for the final part of the game, as the Panthers rallied with three second-half touchdowns.
The Panthers have invested in their offensive line for a reason, and it's a deep and talented group. But it didn't necessarily seem that way as they walked out.
Hunt shook his head when asked how he felt, and managed a small smile that belied his mood.
"I'm blessed," he said. "We'll see tomorrow."
Check out some of the best shots from the Panthers' Week 2 game against the Cardinals.
