CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – One of the biggest position battles for the Carolina Panthers heading into training camp has now been answered. Austin Corbett is now the starting center.
This is a key week for Carolina as they will participate in a joint practice with Houston on Thursday. Then the same two teams will play their second preseason game on Saturday down in the Lone Star State.
“It’s just a good time to transition to where he’s (Corbett) getting more of those reps versus splitting them day after day,” said Panthers head coach Dave Canales.
Corbett beat out Cade Mays, who re-signed with the team in the offseason. Mays certainly made this decision a hard one for the coaches.
“I thought Cade did a fantastic job orchestrating the group when he was out there, getting his snaps off on time, moving people in the run game, and anchoring the pass,” said coach. “It was really a close competition and I think Corbett just has a level of leadership that just edged him out.”
Mays is a very important depth piece to this line. Yes, he is now the back up center, but he can also play guard.
Corbett’s last 3 years here in Carolina have ended with him on the injured list.
Right now, starting left guard, Damien Lewis, is dealing with a shoulder injury and is considered week to week.
This is football. It’s very physical and guys get hurt especially on the offensive line so Mays could still be a very important player on this O-Line at some point this season.
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