The Carolina Panthers commenced this year’s edition of mandatory minicamp with some expected inactives—with defenders Brian Burns, Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn among them. But there were a few surprise absentees, which head coach Frank Reich cleared up afterwards.
Following Tuesday’s practice, Reich addressed the whereabouts of safety Vonn Bell and rookie offensive guard Chandler Zavala.
“He kinda tweaked his hamstring,” Reich said of Bell. “It’s not crazy, but we need to get that taken care of, and he’ll be fine.”
Bell signed a three-year, $22.5 million deal with the Panthers earlier this spring. The 28-year-old veteran will be entering his eighth NFL campaign this season.
As for Zavala . . .
“He’s got a pec,” Reich added. “He’s got a strained pec. So, again, same thing. He’ll be fine for training camp. Not surgical. Just needs time to recover.”
Zavala was selected in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. With right guard Austin Corbett expected to miss the beginning of the season, the 114th overall pick should be a candidate to assume starting duties on Carolina’s interior.
