Also Saturday, the Panthers activated guard Saahdiq Charles and linebacker Isaiah Simmons from the practice squad by standard elevation.
Charles was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 1 when Zavala went on IR for the first time. The LSU product has played 35 games with 18 starts in the league, during stints with Washington and Dallas.
The Panthers are going to start their 10th different line in 13 games this season (with Jake Curhan replacing Zavala at right guard), and Charles will be the eighth active lineman along with Nick Samac and Yosh Nijman.
Simmons offers an experienced body on defense and special teams. The former No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 draft (one spot after Derrick Brown) has played in 84 games with 42 starts during his time with the Cardinals, Giants, and Packers.