Panthers sustain more injuries to players in critical roles as the team falls to Titans

Panthers offensive lineman Chandler Zavala helped off the field with knee injury

The Carolina Panthers went into their matchup with the Tennessee Titans with hopes of notching their second win of the season and possibly giving the fans of the team a dose of hope that the team would eventually become a winning organization. What they got was another loss that extended the team’s record to 1-10 for the season.

It was also reported by the Athletic that owner David Tepper used an expletive as he left the Panthers locker room after the game. So the temperature appears to be rising quickly behind the scenes at the organization.

From the onset, the Panthers failed to do what they’ve been looking to do consistently all season – start fast. Instead, it was the Titans who struck first. Derrick Henry scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 15-play, 91 yard drive and put the Titans on top 7-0.

Later in the first half, The Panthers looked to be shifting gears despite the pass protection battles they faced the entire game. Bryce Young was forced out of the pocket but scrambled for the first down and the drive appeared to be poised to reach the end zone. But rookie Guard Chandler Zavala left the game with a knee injury and sent the Panthers offense on a new mission to fill the sport that had already been a tough assignment for Zavala.

The Panthers would end up finishing the drive with a 50-yard Eddy Pineiro field goal to bring the Panthers within 4 points of the Titans.

Later, with less than four minutes left in the first half, Bryce Young was stripped and the ball recovered by the Titans. On the ensuing drive, Derrick Henry got into the end zone for his second touchdown of the day. The Panthers trailed 17-3 at the half.

The Panthers still had some fight left in the second half. Early in the second half, Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard scored on a 5-yard run to get within a touchdown. But the list of injuries on the offensive side of the ball appeared to be a catalyst in the team not being able to capitalize on what looked to be a winnable game on paper.

The Panthers will be on the road again next Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, when they travel to Tampa to take on division rival Buccaneers.