Austin

Corbett

Per Dave Canales, the Panthers will be placing Corbett on injured reserve and he is “leaving open the possibility” that Corbett could return this season. Losing both Corbett and Hunt is a big blow for Chuba Hubbard and the Panthers offense as a whole. Torn MCLs are not necessarily season-enders, and Corbett will be eligible to return in Week 7.

That now gives the Panthers five returning starters along an offensive line that was widely regarded as the strength of their offense a season ago. The terms of the contract were not yet made available. The longtime starter missed most of the 2024 season after suffering a torn bicep in Week 5.

It’s the third year in a row that Corbett has been lost to a season-ending injury. Corbett suffered a torn ACL in 2022 and was placed on injured reserve last November because of another knee injury. Corbett earned a PFF blocking grade of 62.9 this season while playing exclusively at center for the first time in his career. Brady Christensen, who is listed behind him on the depth chart, will likely get the first crack at filling in for Corbett.

Corbett began the year on the PUP list after tearing his ACL in the regular season finale last year. He was activated in Week 7 and now will be out for the remainder of the season after hurting his knee against the Cowboys. His absence will be a clear downgrade for the Panthers offensive line, which is not great news for Bryce Young.

The veteran had practiced for the last three weeks after recovering from last year’s torn ACL in the regular season finale. His return is big news for the Panthers who have used three different starters at right guard, and three at left guard since Brady Christensen was lost for the season with a biceps tear in the opener. Corbett’s return will hopefully add some consistency and security for rookie quarterback Bryce Young and perhaps open up more running lanes for Miles Sanders.

Panthers head coach Frank Reich said back in April that he didn’t expect Corbett to be ready for Week 1, so this news doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Corbett suffered a torn ACL in the Panthers’ 2022 season finale and will now miss at least the first four games of this season. We’d expect him to be back at some point later in the year. The team also placed DE Henry Anderson on season-ending injured reserve.

Corbett tore his ACL in the Panthers’ regular season finale and underwent surgery in January. Returning for Week 1 was never likely for Corbett, who would be only eight months removed from the injury. Corbett should avoid opening the year on the PUP list, which would sideline him the first six games.

Per Over the Cap, restructuring Corbett’s contract can reduce his cap hit by as much as $5.9 million. Corbett is coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 18. His status is questionable for Week 1, though he said he was hopeful he could be ready for the team’s opener shortly after suffering the injury. Corbett was a strong pass-blocker in 2022, allowing just 15 pressures on 541 pass-blocking reps.

Ditto for Carolina’s other starting guard, Austin Corbett, who tore his ACL in the finale. Christensen broke his ankle in Week 18. This would seem to put a small damper on the chances of Carolina’s best starting line being ready for Week 1, but there’s still some time for both players to recover and their knees aren’t going to be quite as taxed as they would be if they were playing a skill position.

Corbett tore his ACL in the Panthers’ regular season finale and underwent surgery this week. Returning for Week 1 would be a best case scenario for the 27-year-old, but he’ll have fewer hurdles to clear as an interior lineman. Corbett should avoid opening the year on the PUP list, which would cost him the first six games.