The instability of the Carolina Panthers’ interior offensive line will continue into Week 15. But perhaps a bit of promise from Week 14 can help get them through the rest of a rough campaign.
On Wednesday, interim head coach Chris Tabor did not rule out the possibility that Justin McCray, who started at left guard in last Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, will miss the rest of the season with a calf injury. He did, however, just about confirm that Cade Mays—who came on in relief of McCray—will get the nod against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.
Mays played in 79 of the offense’s 80 snaps in Week 15. His outing yielded an 89.9 overall grade from Pro Football Focus—the highest single-game mark for any Panthers offensive lineman this season.
Tabor was asked what that performance told him about the second-year hog molly.
“It talks a lot about him, obviously, as player, No. 2—about his preparation and his process,” Tabor replied. “And that he’s locked in, ready to go. So that he’s getting, whether it be scout team reps, those reps matter. And I think that’s what the kid did and I’m proud of him.”
With injuries to their usual guards in Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett, the Panthers have been forced to use five different starters on the left and six different starters on the right.
