CHARLOTTE — The Panthers only had to use two combinations of starting offensive linemen in 17 games last season, but they're going to do it in two weeks this year.
Left guard Brady Christensen will miss at least the next four weeks after he was placed on injured reserve Wednesday.
Christensen played every snap of the opener, but suffered a biceps injury late in the opener at Atlanta.
The moves create a roster spot but also a question.
Rookie Chandler Zavala started at right guard last week but spent most of his college career on the left at N.C. State (including time next to now-teammate Ikem Ekwonu).
So moving him seems intuitive, but they have options, including Cade Mays, Calvin Throckmorton, and Nash Jensen, while they wait on Austin Corbett to return from the physically unable to perform list.
Also Wednesday, the Panthers placed cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver on practice squad injured reserve (hamstring), released practice squad running back Spencer Brown, and signed wide receiver Michael Strachan and running back Tarik Cohen to the practice squad.
Cohen hasn't played in the league the last two years because of injuries, but made the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro honors as a return specialist during his time with the Bears.
The Bunn, N.C. native played at North Carolina A&T and was a fourth-round pick in 2017.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Strachan was a seventh-round pick of the Colts in 2021 out of Division II Charleston (WV). He ran a 4.54-second 40 at the combine that year, an intriguing blend of size and speed. He caught five passes for 85 yards in parts of two seasons with the Colts while he was working under now-Panthers head coach Frank Reich.
Take a look at the best pictures from pre-game, in-game and post-game action from Sunday's season opener against the Falcons.
