such a shock: The injury was far tougher than they anticipated and struggling to keep…..

he Carolina Panthers’ offense is struggling to keep Bryce Young upright, and struggling to move the ball on the ground and … well… “the whole operation could be better,” head coach Frank Reich said on Monday morning.

He said this a day after the Panthers fell to the Minnesota Vikings, 21-13, in a game in which the offense summoned 204 passing yards and 83 rushing yards and was outscored by the defense — which saw a first-drive interception turn into a 99-yard return for a touchdown. With all this in mind, here are three topics discussed Monday about the flailing Carolina offense:

AUSTIN CORBETT COULD RETURN ‘REALLY SOON’ For as much doom and gloom that surrounds this offense, there was some hope Monday. And a lot of that surrounded a player who hasn’t yet played in 2023. Austin Corbett, the veteran offensive guard who has spent the offseason and the first four weeks of 2023 on the physically unable to perform list, is eligible to return to play in the Panthers’ Week 5 road contest against the Lions.

The offensive line has missed him since he suffered an ACL tear in his left knee in the final game of the 2022 NFL season. With his eligibility taken care of now, though, his status depends on his health. Reich gave the latest update Monday. “Looking forward to seeing him back on the practice field soon,” Reich said. “So I would anticipate that as soon as we think he’s ready to get out there and practice with us and be out there.

We have talked about the timeline of getting him on the field for a game, and we’re not ready to talk about that just yet.” As far as a timeline for him to return to practice? “It could be soon,” he said. “It could be very soon.” Corbett’s return would be a huge boost to the depth of a Carolina offensive line that needs it, especially after Brady Christensen suffered a season-ending biceps injury a few weeks ago.

It would also, theoretically, be a boost to the offense as a whole: The Panthers only notched 83 rushing yards Sunday — and not for a lack of trying as they ran the ball 31 times to nearly match their 32 throws — and they saw rookie quarterback Bryce Young sacked five times, including twice in the last three plays.

Yes, Young absorbed blame for many of these tackles for loss. And yes, Corbett appears like he won’t be game-ready immediately.

But it’s a hopeful bit of news nonetheless. Carolina Panthers offensive guard Austin Corbett answers questions from the media on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. Scott Fowler sfowler@charlotteobserver.com

READ NEXT CAROLINA PANTHERS Sacked: Carolina Panthers disintegrate once more, falling to 0-4 after loss to Vikings OCTOBER 01, 2023 4:35 PM

RELIVING A LATE HIT ON BRYCE YOUNG There was one hit on Young that didn’t go recorded in Sunday’s game — one that prompted a huge, frustrated, confused roar from the crowd.

Here’s what happened: On a first-half drive in the red zone, Carolina’s rookie quarterback took a snap out of the shotgun. The play was called dead before the snap, but Vikings rusher Jordan Hicks continued his pursuit anyway and leveled Young. No flag for a late hit was thrown. Reich was asked about the play Monday.

“Usually, what we talk to Bryce about, and now that this happened to him once: As a quarterback, when you catch the ball and the play is dead, you should immediately throw the ball down so that the defense knows it’s not live,” Reich said.

“The explanation that the official gave me is that there was some ambiguity in it, it wasn’t super flagrant. So really the answer for us is to learn from that.” A scuffle didn’t ensue, which tends to happen when the team’s quarterback takes an unnecessary shot.

Reich added: “I’m not sure anybody saw what happened. Listen, there’s no doubt in my mind that our guys are going to protect each other.” Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, right, is brought down during a keeper by Minnesota linebacker Jordan Hicks during the game at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2023 in Charlotte, NC. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com

READ NEXT CAROLINA PANTHERS What Frank Reich said on Bryce Young’s costly fumble, Carolina Panthers’ loss to Vikings OCTOBER 01, 2023 5:14 PM

DJ CHARK RETURNING TO DETROIT One player who knows a thing or two about salvaging a rough start to the season is DJ Chark — and he’s returning to an old stomping ground this weekend. The Panthers receiver, who finished Sunday with two catches for 28 yards and also drew a penalty on one of the team’s only deep shots, played for Detroit last season. He’s returning to Ford Field in Week 5 and is looking forward to the experience, he said Monday. “I love playing there. I enjoyed my year there,” Chark said. “I enjoyed the

atmosphere. I loved my teammates that were there. So I’m excited. Obviously I’ll be on the other sideline, so they won’t be cheering for me, that’s for sure, but it’ll still be fun.” Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Chark waits to resume pregame activities at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, September 18, 2023. The Panthers host the New Orleans Saints in NFL action at Bank of America Stadium.

JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com Chark didn’t seem too pressed about the Panthers’ 0-4 start Monday. A lot of that might have to do with his general air of nonchalance, but some of it might come from experience, too. The Lions, after all, started 1-7 before finishing 9-8 in 2022. (Their end-of-season hot streak has seemed to pave the way for a good 2023.) “I understand that it’s a long season, and we’ve played four games and have 13 left,” Chark said. “A lot can happen in that time. You just have to get it together. And once we figure out what it’s like to win, really what matters is the vision.

If you want to make the playoffs, it’s about having a presence in this division. “So we get to play Atlanta and New Orleans again. We have to play Tampa twice.