NFL Wild Card game quickly halted as disaster – Sports News
The NFC Wild Card game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams was barely underway when play was halted as a consequence of an damage to a dependable participant who hadn’t missed a single NFL game all season.
During the Panthers’ second offensive drive, star left sort out Ikem Ekwonu suffered a knee damage that abruptly ended his first playoff look as disaster struck inside the very first quarter for the NFC South champions.
The damage occurred early within the first quarter as quarterback Bryce Young dropped back in shotgun formation in opposition to a Rams blitz, earlier than FOX interrupted the NFL playoff game to speak about huge NASCAR occasion.
As Young moved up within the pocket, Ekwonu tried to carry his ground in cross safety when his knee appeared to provide manner beneath him. Young was sacked on the Carolina 33-yard line for a five-yard loss, and Ekwonu stayed down on the home-field turf at Bank of America Stadium, regardless of the Rams holding a four-game benefit in NFL file.
Medical employees quickly rushed onto the sector to take care of Ekwonu, who was flagged for offensive holding on the play.
He was ultimately assisted onto a cart and brought to the locker room, visibly gripping his proper knee. The Panthers’ star gave a thumbs-up and raised his arms to energise the home crowd for the playoff showdown.
Ekwonu was formally sidelined for the remaining of the game with a knee damage, with 9 minutes left within the second quarter.
The timing was a blow for Young, who misplaced his beginning safety after the Rams had taken a 7–0 lead with a first-quarter 14-yard landing cross from Matthew Stafford to Puka Nacua.
Carolina’s subsequent drive confirmed potential earlier than the damage halted any momentum. After Ekwonu’s departure, the Panthers may solely muster 5 performs for 13 yards earlier than being pressured to punt.
Their subsequent offensive drive resulted in an interception when Young’s long cross to Jalen Coker was intercepted by Rams cornerback Cobie Durant, who returned the ball 11 yards.
Carolina’s self-discipline additionally slipped during the troubled drive, leading to a 15-yard Unnecessary Roughness penalty on prime of the interception, setting up Stafford’s second landing cross of the night time to Nacua.
The Panthers have been already thought-about vital underdogs in opposition to the Rams earlier than the game began and had the worst odds of any playoff group to win the Super Bowl.
They put up a fierce struggle in search of an upset however ultimately misplaced 34-31 after a thrilling first game of Wild Card Weekend noticed Colby Parkinson rating the decisive landing for the Rams.
Carolina additionally went into the game short-handed with 5 inactive gamers, together with linebacker Krys Barnes, middle Nick Samac, defensive sort out Jared Harrison-Hunte, large receiver David Moore, and defensive finish LaBryan Ray.
Since becoming a member of the league in 2022, the previous first-round choice has confirmed to be one of Carolina’s most reliable gamers in relation to availability. Ekwonu has began in all 64 attainable regular-season video games all through his four-season profession.
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