But How Costly?

 

The Carolina Panthers may have kept their slim playoff hopes alive, but it could have come at a huge cost.

Linebacker Luke Kuechly, center Ryan Kalil, defensive end Mario Addison and nickelback Leonard Johnson all exited early with injuries.

Kuechly’s injury was especially tough to watch as he was sobbing while he was loaded onto a cart. The fifth-year pro suffered a possible concussion when he took a shot to his facemask while tackling Saints running back Tim Hightower late in the fourth quarter. Kuechly missed three games last season when he suffered his first career concussion in the season opener at Jacksonville.

Kalil, meanwhile, left early in the third quarter after aggravating the shoulder injury that kept him out the past two games. Gino Gradkowski, who replaced Kalil in those games, was inactive Thursday with a knee injury, so Chris Scott finished the game at center.

Addison (right foot), who had 2.0 sacks to extend his team lead to 6.5, and Johnson (chest), who’s been a steadying presence in the secondary, also left in the second half.

 

Not This Time

 

The Panthers tried, but they couldn’t blow a big lead for the second time in 10 days.

After taking a 23-3 lead into the fourth quarter, the Panthers saw the Saints get to within 3. That typically wouldn’t scare the complete heck out of fans, but after the Chiefs' 17-point rally in Week 10, queasy feelings started spreading throughout the Carolinas.

Despite putting up just three points and playing the entire second half without scoring a touchdown for the fourth straight game, the Panthers held on thanks in part to a gigantic 18-yard completion from quarterback Cam Newton to receiver Kelvin Benjamin on 3rd-and-15 with 2:39 left.

 

Hanging Around

 

The Panthers are now 4-6 and within two games of the Falcons, who are idle this week.

They now have 10 days to get healthy, or at least somewhat healthier, for their trip to Oakland in Week 12.