The Carolina Panthers traveled to Caesars Superdome to play against the New Orleans Saints in their first game of the regular season. The Saints blew out the Panthers 10-47, and for the third consecutive season, they started 0-1. Their defense did not have a great start to the season.
The Panthers’ defense struggled tremendously in that game. The Saints offense scored on their first six drives of the first half, plus their first three drives of the second half. They would allow 379 yards, including 199 passing and 180 rushing yards.
To make matters worse, their best defender suffered an injury.
The Carolina Panthers elite defensive lineman suffered an apparent knee injury
Panthers elite 1-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown suffered an apparent knee injury at some point during their loss to the Saints. Brown played 60 of their 66 defensive snaps and recorded three tackles. Despite playing 91% of defensive snaps, he was playing with a possible season-ending injury.
Derrick Brown could miss the rest of the 2024 season
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Brown suffered a meniscus injury. He will undergo surgery, which will determine the length of time he will miss. The Panthers fear his injury is a season-ending injury, which is a devastating blow to their defense if true. He will undergo more tests to confirm the severity.
#Panthers Pro Bowl DL Derrick Brown suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the #Saints, per sources.
The meniscus injury will require surgery, which will determine the exact timeline. A brutal blow in Week 1. pic.twitter.com/CHtGjtlXFK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 9, 2024
NFL fans react to the news
The only good player on the team got hurt
— JaguarGator9 (@JaguarGator9NFL) September 9, 2024
Prayers up to him when it rains it pours. The Panthers franchise actually might be cursed.
— jabar (@jabar_w17) September 9, 2024
They’re on 0-17 watch
— vrix (@spoonlocks) September 9, 2024
awful news. Hoping for a speedy recovery.
— Bryan (@BGauvin23) September 9, 2024
Number 1 pick for the Panthers
— ᨶꫝꪖꪹᦋꫀꪹక ᩏꪶꪊỉᦔᦔ ⚡️ (@LAChargerPluidd) September 9, 2024
