Chandler Zavala, a guard for the Carolina Panthers, was rushed to the hospital after leaving the field late in Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions due to a neck injury.
The rookie suffered a neck injury during a running play, and the medical team took the time to brace his neck. On the back of a cart, he was positioned on a backboard.
Before Zavala was taken off the pitch, Carolina’s players mobbed the cart from the sidelines to be close to their injured teammate.
While being escorted from the field, Zavala offered a thumbs-up.
Zavala received shouts from the fans as he was taken for additional evaluation, and the Lions vacated their sideline to express their support for him.
Out of North Carolina State, Zavala was selected by the Panthers in the fourth round.
Zavala was replaced at left guard by North Dakota State rookie Nash Jensen, who went undrafted.