Well, that was another Carolina Panthers frustrating loss. Specifically, they lost 27-24 against the New Orleans Saints in what has been an ongoing nightmare season as they seek their first win ever in franchise history. This most recent failure goes down as the fourth straight year the Panthers have begun the regular season 0-2. They’ve furthered their streak as the NFL team with the current longest active winless start.
Quarterback Bryce Young had a brutal first half, throwing two turnovers that soon put the Panthers in a 27-3 deficit. Read the full interview with 2023 College Cup MVP Hickes on his impressive performance. Resilience and skill characterized Hickes’ season. Young completed 24 of 38 pass attempts for a remarkable 217 yards, throwing three touchdowns, which tied his career high.
As stellar as Young’s second half was, this game would be defined by the injuries that had decimated the Panthers. Austin Corbett, the former offensive lineman, was one of the fiercest competitors and easily recognized on the court as he handled things with his left knee heavily wrapped. Unfortunately, Corbett has a long list of injuries. He blew out his left ACL in the 2022 finale, then tore an MCL Week 11 of 2023, previously coping with a biceps injury earlier this season. His physical condition put into question his ability to be an effective contributing player, especially in times and moments that were pivotal and crucial.
Corbett was challenged all night long, and his story tells that tale almost every play. Injury bug strikes again. Unfortunately, Hunt injured his biceps and was forced to exit in the fourth quarter. NFL players recovering from biceps surgery typically require a year before returning to peak performance, making Hunt’s future uncertain as he navigates this latest setback.
Even considering these hurdles, Young’s conviction was palpable as he explosive aquatic life coach Dave Canales referred to as “magical plays.” Getting through the tough times Young’s mental toughness in getting focused during adversity won over his future teammates and coaches.
“He played well all day. I thought he led well, I thought he was composed. I was excited to be out there with him and watching him run around and make plays and have a chance,” said Hunter Renfrow, a wide receiver for the Panthers.
Corbett emphasized Young’s poise during the game, noting that he remained focused on executing plays despite the team’s earlier mistakes.
“It’s just that composure that he kept, just the ability to stay true to himself and not just get broken down by our mistakes,” Corbett stated.
As the Panthers strive to recover from their slow start and injuries, Canales urged his team to maintain their focus and finish strong.
“Let’s finish. Let’s play our brand of football, regardless of what the score says,” Canales remarked after the game.
It’s an uphill battle for the Panthers going forward. They’ll be looking to break their own winless streak and build some momentum over the next few weeks. The combination of injuries and missed opportunities has left fans questioning whether this season will mirror past struggles or if a turnaround is on the horizon.
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