Austin Corbett

Panthers To Re-Evaluate OL Robert Hunt, Moving Austin Corbett Back To Guard

November 8th, 2025 at 11:36am CST by Nikhil Mehta

After a 1-3 start, the Panthers have won four of their five games despite a series of injuries to their top two quarterbacks and several offensive linemen.

Starting QB Bryce Young missed Week 8 with a high ankle sprain. In that game, backup Andy Dalton broke the thumb on his throwing hand. Young returned for Carolina’s next game.

Their offensive line has dealt with even more injuries. Week 1 starters Robert Hunt and Austin Corbett, along with versatile depth Chandler Zavala and Brady Christensen, have spent time on injured reserve; Hunt and Christensen are still there. The Panthers’ other three Week 1 starters – Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, and Taylor Moton – have all missed at least one game, and backup center Cade Mays was sidelined by knee and ankle injuries in Week 9. Nine different offensive linemen have taken at least 100 snaps this year.

That has caused a number of shuffles along Carolina’s offensive line, including a few switches between left guard and center by Corbett. With Mays back in the lineup, Corbett will now move to right guard, per The Athletic’s Joe Person, which he has not played in the last two seasons. However, he spent the previous four years starting at the position, so it should be a relatively easy change.

Hunt, meanwhile, is “right on track” in his recovery from his biceps tear, according to Panthers head coach Dave Canales (via Person). The team is still holding out hope that he could return for the last four games of the season, but they are planning to re-evaluate the veteran guard’s status this week.

Panthers Place OL Brady Christensen On IR, Sign QB Mike White To Active Roster

November 2nd, 2025 at 9:01am CST by Nikhil Mehta

NOVEMBER 2: The thumb on Dalton’s throwing hand is actually broken, per Person (subscription required). Dalton broke the thumb during the second series of the Buffalo contest, though he did not immediately tell the coaching staff about the injury.

Young returned to practice as a full participant on Wednesday, and he has no injury designation for Week 9. He will therefore return to his QB1 post.

OCTOBER 30: Panthers offensive lineman Brady Christensen underwent surgery for a torn Achilles on Wednesday and was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per team reporter Darin Gantt.

Christensen went down in the Panthers’ Week 8 loss to the Bills and will miss the rest of the season. He had started the last four games at right guard after Robert Hunt and Chandler Zavala both landed on injured reserve. Five-year veteran Jake Curhan finished the game at right guard.

Christensen’s injury was one of several to the Panthers’ offensive line on Sunday. Center Cade Mays injured his ankle and right tackle Taylor Moton injured his knee; they were replaced by Austin Corbett and Yosh Nijman, respectively. Head coach Dave Canales said this week (via Gant and his colleague Kassidy Hill) that Mays was not expected to play in Week 9, but Moton might. That would keep Corbett at center and potentially insert Nijman into the starting lineup.

At right guard, the Panthers could stick with Curhan, but Zavala is expected to be activated from IR ahead of Sunday’s game against the Packers, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person. That will likely position him to start, potentially for the rest of the season if Hunt does not come back.

With the open spot on their roster, the Panthers promoted veteran quarterback Mike White from the practice squad. That may not be a good sign for Andy Dalton‘s availability this week. He is dealing with a thumb injury on his throwing hand and did not practice on Wednesday. Bryce Young is trending towards a return after missing Week 8 with a high ankle sprain; if Dalton can’t go, White would be Young’s backup on Sunday.

The Panthers also filled the open practice squad spot created by White’s promotion by re-signing defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy.

Panthers Activate Jalen Coker, Austin Corbett From IR

October 18th, 2025 at 2:44pm CST by Connor Byrne

The Panthers have activated wide receiver Jalen Coker and offensive lineman Austin Corbett from injured reserve, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. In other moves, the team placed outside linebacker Patrick Jones on IR and elevated OLB Boogie Basham from its practice squad in advance of Sunday’s game against the Jets.

Coker performed well as an undrafted rookie from Holy Cross last year, catching 32 passes for 478 yards (14.9 YPC) and two touchdowns in 11 games. A quad injury held him out of action for the Panthers’ first six games this season.

Had it not been for his injury, Coker would have started 2025 as the Panthers’ top slot option. The Panthers re-signed Hunter Renfrow to help cover for Coker’s loss. Renfrow has a modest 15 catches in six games, and while he has scored twice, the 29-year-old has averaged a meager 5.9 yards per catch. If Coker carries over last season’s performance, he should give quarterback Bryce Young a more explosive complement to No. 1 receiver and rookie standout Tetairoa McMillan.

Corbett, a fourth-year Panther, will return after suffering a left MCL sprain in a Week 2 loss to the Cardinals. Injuries have limited Corbett to 11 of a possible 40 regular-season games since 2023. While Corbett entered the season as Carolina’s starting center, Cade Mays filled in with aplomb during his absence. Mays, Pro Football Focus’ eighth-ranked center, is in the middle of a line that has helped clear the way for back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances.

The Panthers, who have won three of four to climb to .500, may elect to keep Mays as their starting center. Corbett, also an experienced guard, could start in place of LG Damien Lewis if a shoulder injury prevents him from playing Sunday, per Darin Gantt of the team’s website.

With Jones requiring season-ending back surgery, Basham will receive his second standard elevation of the season. A former Bill and Giant, Basham made his Panthers debut in a Week 4 loss to the Patriots, played 17 snaps (10 on defense, seven on special teams), and picked up two tackles.

Panthers Designate Austin Corbett For Return

October 15th, 2025 at 9:30am CST by Connor Byrne

OCTOBER 15: As planned, the Panthers have designated Corbett for return and opened his practice window, per Joe Person of The Athletic. He will have three weeks to practice with the team before he must be moved to the active roster or revert to season-ending IR.

OCTOBER 14: Carolina has gone most of the season without starting center Austin Corbett, but he’s progressing toward a return. The Panthers are planning to open Corbett’s practice window on Wednesday, according to Darin Gantt of the team’s website. Once that happens, the Panthers will have 21 days to activate Corbett from injured reserve.

The Panthers’ offensive line took multiple hits in a Week 2 defeat to Arizona, losing Corbett and right guard Robert Hunt to significant injuries. Corbett went down with a Grade C MCL injury, while Hunt tore his left biceps. It’s uncertain if Hunt will return this year, but the team is about to set the wheels in motion on a Corbett comeback.

Despite their O-line injuries, the Panthers have won three of four since an 0-2 start. Running back Rico Dowdle has unexpectedly amassed a jaw-dropping 389 yards on the ground during a two-game winning streak. Fourth-year man Cade Mays has been filling in for Corbett in the middle of the line, while Brady Christensen is starting in Hunt’s place.

Now in his fourth season in Carolina, injuries have been a frequent occurrence during Corbett’s tenure with the team. After a 17-game 2022, he missed 13 contests in 2023 and sat out another 12 last season. Despite that, Corbett beat out Mays for the starting center job during the summer.

If Corbett comes off IR in the next few weeks, the Panthers will have to decide whether to plug him back in over Mays. Notably, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) ranks Mays’ early season performance eighth among 35 centers.

It seems likely that Carolina will announce a move with Corbett on Wednesday. In the meantime, the team made a couple of minor transactions on Tuesday. The Panthers waived defensive back Trevian Thomas and released offensive lineman Darrian Dalcourt from their practice squad.

Thomas, an undrafted rookie from Arkansa State, earned a call-up from the practice squad for Week 5. He played 12 special teams snaps in a win over the Dolphins. Dalcourt signed with the Panthers’ practice squad last week after a stint with the Commanders.

Panthers TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Expected To Miss Multiple Weeks

September 23rd, 2025 at 9:30pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Panthers tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday’s victory over the Falcons, according to Joe Person of The Athletic.

The 2024 fourth-round pick will miss multiple weeks as a result with veteran Tommy Tremble likely stepping back into a starting role.

After largely playing behind Tremble as a rookie, Sanders started Carolina’s first three games this season and outsnapped his veteran teammate 129 to 97. He ranks second on the team in receptions (11) and receiving yards (92), both top-20 marks among tight ends through three games, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Tremble caught all six of his targets for 38 yards to open the year and will likely see an uptick in snap count and receiving opportunities. Fifth-round rookie Mitchell Evans stands to benefit even more, as he only played 35 snaps in the first three weeks but will be elevated to a TE2 role during Sanders’ absence.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales also confirmed that right guard Robert Hunt underwent biceps surgery. His earliest return would be at the end of the season, according to ESPN’s David Newton, while center Austin Corbett avoided surgery but will be out for at least six to eight weeks. Both linemen are on injured reserve.

Carolina has since switched to Chandler Zavala at RG and Cade Mays at C while also poaching Nick Samac off the Ravens’ practice squad to back up both spots. The Panthers offense has struggled behind their injured O-line thus far and will be hoping Corbett can recover on the shorter end of his timeline

Panthers To Place G Robert Hunt, C Austin Corbett On IR

September 18th, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

September 18: Hunt underwent successful surgery in California this week, per Joe Person of The Athletic, but the team has not provided any updates regarding his return timetable.

A torn biceps could be season-ending, but Bills linebacker Matt Milano suffered a similar injury in training camp last year and was back on the field at the end of November. However, the specific nature of Hunt’s injury and the different physical requirements for his position will be major factors in his recovery timeline.

September 15: As expected, the Panthers will be shorthanded up front for a lengthy period. Guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett are both headed to injured reserve, head coach Dave Canales confirmed on Monday.

Hunt suffered a torn left biceps during yesterday’s game. Surgery will be required as a result, meaning he could very well be lost for the season. The shift to IR ensures a four-game absence at a minimum, but for both Hunt and Corbett a much longer absence is in store.

Corbett suffered an MCL injury during Carolina’s Week 2 contest. Canales noted the extent of the ailment was initially unclear (with a sprain being a possibility), but he later specified (via ESPN’s David Newton) this is a case of a Grade C injury. That represents a complete tear, meaning surgery will also be required for Corbett. Canales has left the door open for a late-season return in both cases, but it would come as a surprise if either were to be available again in 2025.

The Panthers made continuity a priority along the O-line this offseason. Corbett and fellow center Cade Mays were retained, while longtime right tackle Taylor Moton inked a two-year extension shortly before the start of the campaign. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu is still in the fold, as is left guard Damien Lewis. With a number of depth options returning as well, Carolina’s top nine contributors up front in terms of snaps from 2024 are in the fold.

Given today’s injury news, that depth and familiarity will be called upon early. Mays is set to take over from Corbett at center after falling short in this year’s training camp competition for the gig. Canales said Chandler Zavala, meanwhile, will receive the first opportunity to take on the right guard position. The 2023 fourth-rounder made seven total starts across his first two seasons with Carolina, and that figure is now set to increase.

Hunt remains under contract through 2028, so the Pro Bowler’s future with the team is not in questions. Corbett, on the other hand, missed considerable time in each of the past two years. Yet another significant injury will hurt the pending free agent’s chances of being retained this spring along with his market value for any outside teams which show interest.

Panthers’ Robert Hunt, Austin Corbett Facing Lengthy Absences?

September 15th, 2025 at 10:48am CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers’ late comeback attempt came up short on Sunday, dropping them to 0-2. Attempts at turning the season around will likely include replacements being counted on along the offensive line.

Both right guard Robert Hunt and center Austin Corbett suffered injuries yesterday. Hunt is dealing with a biceps injury which occurred in the fourth quarter. Corbett, meanwhile, is facing the prospect of missed time due to a knee ailment.

In each case, an MRI is pending. As Joe Person of The Athletic writes (subscription required), though, neither Hunt nor Corbett are optimistic about their respective outlooks. Biceps tears carry lengthy recovery timelines when surgery is required, while Corbett was “distraught” in the locker room after the game when contemplating the fallout of his latest injury (h/t ESPN’s David Newton).

Hunt was one of the Panthers’ two big-ticket guard investments during free agency in 2024 (Damien Lewis being the other). The former Dolphins second-rounder played 16 games during his debut Carolina season, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. Expectations were high for a strong follow-up, but it appears a lengthy absence will instead be in store. Hunt is under contract through 2028.

Corbett, by contrast, is a pending free agent. The eighth-year veteran avoided major injuries during his time with the Browns and Rams early in his career. After logging a full campaign with the Panthers in 2022, however, the 30-year-old has been struck by a series of injury woes. Corbett ended the ’22 season with an ACL tear and was limited to just four games the following campaign (during which he suffered an MCL tear). In 2024, a biceps tear ended his season in Week 5.

This offseason, Corbett was retained on a one-year pact while the Panthers also kept Cade Mays in the fold. The two engaged in a training camp competition for the starting center gig, and Corbett won out. The 69-game starter now appears to be facing another lengthy tenure on the shelf, something which would hinder his market value next spring and presumably move Mays into a first-team role.

Carolina’s offensive line welcomed back left tackle Ikem Ekwonu yesterday. The unit could be notably shorthanded along the interior moving forward, though. It will be interesting to see what further testing reveals for both Hunt and Corbett as the Panthers look to build off the momentum from their second half showing yesterday.

Austin Corbett Wins Panthers’ C Competition

August 11th, 2025 at 1:31pm CST by Adam La Rose

Austin Corbett will remain a starter during his fourth Panthers season. Head coach Dave Canales announced on Monday Corbett has won the team’s center competition.

Corbett joined Carolina on a three-year, $26.25MM deal in 2022. He managed to remain healthy during his debut Panthers season, but injuries limited the 29-year-old to a total of only nine contests across the past two seasons. A one-year deal was worked out to allow for Corbett to remain in place this campaign.

The Panthers also retained Cade Mays this offseason, though, setting up a training camp competition between he and Corbett. The two alternated time with the first-team offense during camp practices. Canales aimed to have a decision in place before Carolina’s upcoming joint practices with Houston, though (h/t Joe Person of The Athletic). That has proven to be the case with today’s call being made.

“I thought Cade did a fantastic job orchestrating the group when he was out there, getting his snaps off on time, moving people in the run game, anchoring the pass,” Canales said when speaking to the media (via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper). “It was a really close competition and I think Corbett just kinda brings a level of leadership that just kind of edged him out.”

A healthy season from Corbett would be key for his market value next spring. It would also allow for continuity up front in Carolina, of course. The team’s 2024 offensive line setup with left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, left guard Damien Lewis, Corbett at center, right guard Robert Hunt and right tackle Taylor Moton will remain intact this fall. Improved play from quarterback Bryce Young is a central target for the Panthers in 2025, and better pass protection will be key in his development.

Mays filled in for Corbett last season after the latter went down. A sixth-round pick in 2022, Mays has 38 appearances and 15 starts to his name. Given today’s decision, he will now prepare for a backup gig at center as well as guard with the potential to see playing time in the event of injuries along the interior.

NFC South Notes: Bridgewater, Bucs, Pitts, Falcons, Panthers, C, Saints

August 8th, 2025 at 11:40am CST by Sam Robinson

The 2020 free agent class featured a few viable starting quarterbacks, helping the Buccaneers transition from the erratic Jameis Winston. Tampa Bay was closely connected to two of the available options — Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater. Reporting at the time made it fairly clear Bridgewater — who had spent the previous two seasons as Drew Brees‘ Saints backup — was the Bucs’ second choice behind Brady. Upon circling back to the veteran QB this week, Jason Licht confirmed (via ESPN.com’s Jenna Laine) that was the case.

Licht said he mentioned this to Bridgewater upon the unretired passer joining to the Bucs — his eighth NFL team — this week. The Bucs landed Brady, beating out the Chargers, who were losing Philip Rivers to the Colts. Bridgewater ended up doing nearly as well as Brady on the contract front, scoring a three-year, $63MM Panthers deal. Though, as Carolina cycled through passers during the Matt Rhule years, Bridgewater wound up in Denver — on a sizable pay cut — in 2021 via trade. He joins Kyle Trask as a Baker Mayfield backup option.

Here is the latest from the NFC South:

Although the Falcons completed a notable extension this week — with right tackle Kaleb McGary, a recent report indicated they did not have anything brewing with Kyle Pitts. When asked about the possibility of an extension, GM Terry Fontenot (via The Athletic’s Josh Kendall) did not discuss the matter. While Fontenot said the Falcons “love” where Pitts is ahead of his fifth season, they might need to see more from a player who has underwhelmed from the No. 4 overall draft slot. It would stand to reason Fontenot would be interested in a Pitts payday, seeing as he made the tight end his first draft pick as GM, but the inconsistent pass catcher has battled injuries — including an offseason foot issue he looks to have recovered from — and has not come close to matching his 1,000-yard rookie season. That said, Pitts (25) could position himself as a top-tier 2026 free agent with a solid contract year.
Staying with the Falcons, they are pitting Jordan Fuller against third-round rookie Xavier Watts in a competition to replace Justin Simmons. Fuller and Watts have alternated with Atlanta’s starters, per ESPN.com’s Marc Raimondi, alongside Jessie Bates at safety. Even if Watts cannot beat out Fuller — a former Raheem Morris Rams charge — for the job, the Falcons are expecting him to log extensive rookie-year playing time. The team traded up five spots for Watts, a two-time All-American at Notre Dame.
Jamal Agnew did not see any game action last season, having spent 2024 recovering from a broken leg sustained in Week 17 of the 2023 season. Agnew wound up on the Steelers’ practice squad but did not suit up with the team. The Falcons signed him to a one-year, $2.5MM deal in March, only guaranteeing $400K. Still, the veteran receiver/return man is expected to make the Falcons’ 53-man roster, Kendall notes. While Drake London, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McCloud and KhaDarel Hodge are locks, Kendall pegs Agnew as a “strong bet” for the fifth spot. Adept at both kick and punt returns, Agnew — a 2022 Pro Bowler in Jacksonville — figures to be used in this capacity.
The Panthers re-signed Austin Corbett in March but also retained Cade Mays via RFA tender. At $3.26MM, the original-round tender brought tougher decisions this year; months later, Mays is in a competition with Corbett to start at center, ESPN.com’s David Newton notes. Corbett and Mays have alternated days with the Panthers’ first team. With Corbett missing 25 games between the 2023 and ’24 seasons, he is having to fend off Mays for the job. The Panthers slid Corbett from guard to center in 2024, having signed Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and used him as a starter in each game he played. But the ex-Rams Super Bowl starter suffered a biceps tear in October, shutting him down. Mays has made 13 starts since 2023, logging all 495 of his 2024 snaps at center.
Julian Blackmon‘s one-year Saints contract is worth slightly less than initially reported. Rather than a $4MM deal, ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell notes the veteran safety signed for $3.17MM. That amount is fully guaranteed.

Panthers Re-Sign C Austin Corbett, TE Tommy Tremble

March 8th, 2025 at 7:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Panthers will have plenty of continuity up front in 2025. One day after tendering restricted free agent Cade Mays, the team has ensured Austin Corbett will be in place as well.

The latter agreed to terms on a new contract, the team announced Saturday. Joe Person of The Athletic notes it is a one-year pact. All five starters from Carolina’s 2024 offensive line are now on the books as a result of today’s move, one which comes not longer after it was learned the Panthers were in talks with both of their centers from last year.

Corbett inked a three-year, $26.25MM deal in free agency after emerging as a capable starter during his time with the Rams. The 29-year-old was limited to only five games in 2024, though, and the short-term nature of his latest pact is a reflection of the leverage he lost. Nevertheless, Corbett will be counted on to reprise his starting center gig next season as he looks to rebuild his value.

Pass protection was a major issue during quarterback Bryce Young‘s rookie campaign. The Panthers responded by signing guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to big-ticket free agent deals. Those two remain on the books, as do tackle starters Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton. As Young looks to build off the promise he showed late in 2024, he will have the same unit in front of him next year.

The Panthers also announced they have reached agreement on a two-year deal with tight end Tommy Tremble. The 2021 third-rounder was on track for free agency with his rookie contract expiring, but he will remain in place. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports the pact includes $8MM guaranteed and has a maximum value of $16MM. Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer adds this deal’s base value is $10.5MM.

Tremble’s snap share hovered around 50% for each of his first three seasons, but it jumped to 69% in 2024. The 24-year-old missed five games (after previously being absent for only one the rest of his career), but he still managed to match his personal mark with 23 catches and set a new career high with 234 yards. If he can continue to provide Carolina with complementary production, Tremble will prove to be a worthwhile short-term investment for the team.

The Panthers entered Saturday with just over $27MM in cap space. These moves will eat into that figure to an extent, but the funds for outside additions – particularly on defense – will be available when the new league starts next week.

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