When the final injury report and subsequent starting lineups were released for the Carolina Panthers before the 1:00 p.m. kickoff in Green Bay, suspected concerns became reality. The Panthers would be without their iron-man right tackle, Taylor Moton (knee), unless an emergency arises, and starting center Cade Mays (ankle/knee).
There was a silver lining framing the report, however, as the team activated guard Chandler Zavala (knee) from injured reserve. That karmic bump didn’t even last for the first half of the game, as Zavala suffered an elbow injury that removed him from play.
Starting left guard Damien Lewis also came off the field during the first offensive series but returned for the remainder of the game. How did Carolina withstand the trench turmoil? Our main character enters stage left. And right.
Carolina Panthers Get a Surprise Lift From Reserve Lineman
The Panthers signed swing offensive lineman Jake Curhan at the beginning of October off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad. Curhan is a fifth-year player, and Carolina is the third stop for the former California Golden Bear.
His introductory seasons in the NFL were with the Seattle Seahawks, while now-Panthers head coach Dave Canales was on the offensive staff. Canales spoke on Curhan’s familiarity and ability after the Week 9 game, saying:
“Jake and I were together in Seattle, so he’s got a lot of familiarity with our run game, our pass protection philosophy, and how we handle things. He’s a very sharp guy and he’s got a lot of versatility. I’ve seen him play all but center, I think, in the time that I’ve been around him”.
Curhan has played in 41 games, starting 11 of them. This past Sunday, he was called upon on two separate occasions. He answered the bell with fervor both times, looking comfortable and confident as he executed zone and gap concepts competently for Rico Dowdle (PFSN RBi No. 10, as of Week 9, subject to change pending Monday Night Football) and the ground game.
Quarterback Bryce Young praised Curhan’s significance, as well, adding, “Last week he stepped up and this week, come in and play left, come in and play right, and play a great game again versus a great front. That can’t be talked about enough.”
It’s also worth noting that the Panthers have now played 12 different offensive linemen through these first nine weeks of football, and it hasn’t felt like the ship was sinking. That’s a testament and kudos to the job done by offensive line coach Joe Gilbert and assistant head coach/run game coordinator Harold Goodwin.
Speaking of Young, Curhan also only allowed a single quarterback pressure in his valiant relief effort against that ‘great front’ of the Green Bay Packers. The pressure was credited to Micah Parsons.