Injured Panthers player discharged from Detroit hospital, heads home with team

There was a scary moment early in Sunday’s game between the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions. Panthers rookie offensive lineman Chandler Zavala collapsed to the Ford Field turf and lay motionless for some time.

Players from both teams knelt quietly around Zavala, who was eventually carted off. He did give the anxious crowd a “thumbs up” as he exited the field strapped down to a stretcher en route to a local Detroit hospital. Lions fans gave him a loud cheer in support.

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This injury has a happy update. Zavala was discharged from the hospital after showing motion and feeling in all his extremities. He was ruled healthy enough to travel back to Charlotte with the Panthers.

#Panthers rookie G Chandler Zavala, who was taken to a local hospital after suffering a neck injury in today's loss at Detroit, has been discharged and is traveling home with the team.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 8, 2023

That’s great news.