HB Johnson debuts as Panthers' starter vs New Orelans

by Crimsion | 9 years ago | 0 Comments

Last week the Carolina Panthers suffered a huge setback as they lost their starting runningback, Johnathan Stewart. After suffering a tear in his right hamstring the 29-year-old Oregon product will miss the next 5 weeks.

In his place the Panthers were relying on veteran back Chris Johnson, who eclipsed the 1,500 mark last season with the New England Patriots. Given his first heavy workload of the season, Johnson carried the ball 17 times while racking up 57 yards and failing to find the endzone.

Panthers' QB Cam Newton took a more air-it-out type approach with his go-to back being sidelined, throwing the ball well as he went 19/26 with 377 yards and 4 touchdowns. The vertistile man under centre also took on some of the loose rushing attetmpts, carrying the ball 7 times for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

Also benefiting from these unfortunate injuries was wide receiver Jaron Brown. The newest Panther has been on a tear this season, snagging a team high 4 touchdowns in the first four weeks of the season.

Unfortunately for the top team in the NFC they will be without some key players moving forward as the competition gets tougher. Here's who will be missing in action in the near future: 

MLB - David Mayo - Dislocated Elbow (1 Week)

QB - Derek Anderson - Partial PCL Tear (3 Weeks)

ROLB - Thomas Davis Sr. - Pulled Groin (3 Weeks)

HB - Johnathan Stewart - Hamstring Tear (5 Weeks)

SS - Jeromy Miles - Broken Tailbone (6 Weeks)

LT - Chris Hairston - Quad Tear (3 Weeks)