• last year
With less than five minutes left of the first quarter, fans were left worried after Carolina Panthers star Chandler Zavala went down after a collision with a Lions' defensive tackle.

Carolina Panthers star Chandler Zavala suffered a freak neck injury during his side's NFL match against the Detroit Lions.

The Ford Field crowd grew increasingly concerned after the 24-year-old dropped to the ground. Zavala had a ferocious collision with a Lions' defensive tackle that immediately sent him into the turf.

How his body crumpled and fell motionless into the grass immediately worried all the players and fans in the stadium. As the cart was brought onto the pitch and Zavala was treated, players from both sides went down to one knee, as is often seen when a player is injured.

The scenes were eerily similar to the Buffalo Bills' clash against the Cincinnati Bengals last year when Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest. However, to the relief of all NFL fans, Zavala gave the fans an unforgettable sign that he was conscious and aware of his surroundings.

He offered his colleagues and fans a thumbs-up as he was carried off on a stretcher. "The Panthers tell me Zavala is being taken to the hospital for further evaluation. He has suffered a neck injury," Fox News NFL sideline reporter Pam Oliver said.

After a series of impressive performances for North Carolina State, Zavala joined the Panthers as the fifth-choice pick in the recent draft. He has started every game he has been available for.

Zavala went down with four minutes and 44 seconds left of the first quarter. His game was ended after a first-and-10 play at the 25-yard line of Carolina.

Soon after he was taken to hospital, the Panthers halved the deficit courtesy of a touchdown from Tommy Tremble.

The tight end's contribution made the scoreline 14-7 at the time.

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