The Carolina Panthers have a pretty good problem at the center position, where both Brady Christensen and Cade Mays have played well of late. But who will get the start there this weekend?
Head coach Dave Canales, in his post-practice presser on Wednesday, officially gave Mays the nod for their Week 12 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sunday will mark the third straight start at center for the former sixth-round pick, who rejoined the team on Oct. 8.
“Yeah, Cade Mays took the snaps with the first group today,” Canales told reporters. “Brady took snaps as well, and he does some other things too. But Damien [Lewis] was out today with an illness. He’ll be back tomorrow, hopefully. So Chandler [Zavala] got some good work in there.
“The group, again, when one guy goes down, next guy come up and try to continue to just take the next step forward.”
Christensen was the initial replacement at center for Week 1 starter Austin Corbett, whose campaign was cut short after just five games due to a triceps tear. He’d then have to kick out to left tackle in place of an injured Ikem Ekwonu for the last two weeks, giving Mays his shot at center.
With Ekwonu expected to return from his ankle injury this week, Christensen will likely serve as the “sixth man” of the offensive line for the time being.
