There may be a changing of the guard at the right guard competition for the Carolina Panthers.
Head coach Frank Reich, just a few days before the preseason finale against the Detroit Lions, spoke to reporters following Wednesday’s relatively light practice. He confirmed that rookie Chandler Zavala will, for the second straight exhibition outing, get the starting nod at right guard.
Zavala, who had been dealing with a hamstring injury for much of the summer, got the honors on the first-team unit in last week’s matchup with the New York Giants. According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed zero pressures on eight chances over a total of 21 offensive snaps.
But if you ask him, he could’ve been even better.
“I performed like . . . I was okay, like for not being in pads for eight months,” Zavala said of his debut on Sunday. “Just the second day in pads, I did okay. But I can do a lot better.”
With perceived favorite Cade Mays still recovering from a neck injury and still not in pads, the spot may be Zavala’s for the taking this week.
