Forest Park Graduate Hospitalized After Injuring Neck In Carolina Panthers Game

DETROIT — Prince William County graduate Chandler Zavala was hospitalized after he suffered a neck injury during an NFL game on Sunday. Zavala was starting at left guard for the Carolina Panthers in their game against the Detroit Lions.

Zavala, a Forest Park High School graduate, was injured on a run play in the first quarter. The rookie offensive lineman remained face-down on the field after the play until athletic trainers rushed to his aid. They placed a cervical collar on him to support his neck, strapped him onto a backboard, and loaded him onto a cart.

Players from both teams kneeled to the turf as trainers tended to Zavala, who gave a thumbs up as he was carted off the field.

Darin Gantt covers the Panthers for the team's website. He reported during the game that Zavala was taken to a hospital in the Detroit area for evaluation. At the hospital, Zavala was alert and able to move his arms and legs.

The Panthers went on to lose the game 42-24.

After the loss, Panthers head coach Frank Reich provided an update about Zavala's condition.

"Everything has checked out well, he's got movement in all his extremities," Reich said in his press conference. "So we're very encouraged about that."

Zavala was released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon and returned to North Carolina with his teammates, the organization said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"It was scary. We get out there and it didn't look like he was moving a lot," Reich said. "A minute or so into it I saw him move his arm, and so I was hopeful there."

Zavala has overcome injuries throughout his football career. The fourth-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft played college football at Fairmont State and North Carolina State. He missed games at North Carolina State with back and eye injuries.

Zavala played one season of high school football after initially focusing on basketball, InsideNoVa reported. At Forest Park High School, Zavala dealt with a fractured ankle and broken middle finger.

Injuries are an unavoidable facet of football. But a scare like the one Zavala experienced on Sunday in Detroit can have an effect on even the most committed football players.

"Your heart goes out. You don't want it to be anything severe. But you also understand that we got the right medical people in attendance and they're going to do a great job," Reich said. "So you just have to be able to detach yourself from that and move on and get ready to play."

During the press conference, Reich said Zavala's injury may have been "a bad stinger." The Panthers have not provided any additional information about Zavala's injury status on Monday.