Saturday afternoon the Frank Reich announced that offensive lineman Cade Mays will get the start at guard after Brady Christensen had season-ending bicep surgery this week. Wednesday, Reich said Mays, Nash Jensen and Justin McCoy would all get reps and a decision would be made later in the week about who would start. Now that Mays has been named the guy, the only question is which guard position Cade will line up at.
Chandler Zavala, who started at right guard last week and had a solid performance, played left guard at NC State. He could be shifted to the left side or remain on the right and Mays play on the left. We’ll know for sure when the team releases their lineup changes, but I suspect Zavala will move to the left side, where he played along-side right tackle Ikem Ekwonu for two years in college.
Wide reciever DJ Chark, who was out of the season opener against Atlanta with a hamstring injury, was a full participant at practice Saturday. Although his game status is officially listed as questionable, it’s likely he will see the field Monday night. Chark, who was Bryce Young’s favorite target during training camp, adds the vertical threat the Panthers were largely missing during their week-one lost to Falcons.
Kick off between the Panthers and Saints is Monday night at 7:15pm
