Guard Chandler Zavala of the Carolina Panthers was admitted to the hospital with a neck injury

Chandler Zavala, a Carolina Panthers guard, was taken to the hospital with a neck injury late in the first quarter against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

The rookie was injured on a running play, so medical staff braced his neck. He was backboarded and cart-mounted.

Before Zavala was removed from the field, Carolina players surrounded the cart near their injured teammate.

Zavala gave a thumbs-up as pulled off the field.

Lions left their sideline to support Zavala, who was taken for further evaluation to cheers from the crowd.