Panthers rookie Chandler Zavala was released from the hospital after suffering a frightening neck
injury in Detroit.
Following a frightening scene in Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers left guard Chandler Zavala was hospitalized with a neck injury.
In the second quarter of Detroit’s 42-24 victory, the Panthers rookie fell face-first to the turf on what appeared to be a standard block on a run play. He remained on the ground as players on the field requested medical attention following the play.
Panthers bench players quickly joined their teammates on the field to surround Zavala. Lions players stood there, some kneeling, as a stretcher was wheeled out. Fans watched in anxious silence.
Medical staff tended to Zavala on the field and eventually placed him on the stretcher, then loaded him onto the cart. The nature of his injury wasn’t clear. As the cart drove him off the field, Zavala gave a thumbs up to a standing ovation from the Detroit crowd.
The Panthers announced soon after that Zavala was being transported to local hospital for evaluation with a neck injury. After the game, head coach Frank Reich told reporters that Zavala has movement in his extremities.
