The Carolina Panthers didn’t even have to begin their New Year’s Eve matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars to face adversity.
During pre-game warmups, kicker Eddy Piñeiro tweaked his hamstring—throwing his status into doubt and his team into a harsh domino effect. So since they didn’t have the option of a field goal available to them, the Panthers had to take a gung-ho approach—one that nearly cost them their starting quarterback on their very first possession.
Instead of the usual three-point try, Bryce Young and the Carolina offense had to go for the sticks on a fourth-and-7 from the Jacksonville 21-yard line. But the rookie passer ended up eating a punishing sack from Jaguars defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris.
Here’s a replay of the Bryce Young sack. pic.twitter.com/wUKRbRIUti
— Michael Rimmer (@avl_mike) December 31, 2023
Young remained on the ground, clutching his back in a pretty scary scene.
Young is on the field for a while, but able to get up. pic.twitter.com/iKrCCVZNJs
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) December 31, 2023
The 22-year-old, however, didn’t even miss a snap. Young, after getting some attention in the medical tent, was right back on the field to start the next drive.
He may only be 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds (on a very good day), but Young certainly isn’t lacking an ounce of toughness.
