Tony Jones Jr. ran for two touchdowns, rookie Blake Grupe kicked two field goals and the New Orleans Saints defeated the Carolina Panthers 20-17 on Monday night to improve to 2-0 for the first time since 2013.
Jones, a practice squad elevation, replaced the injured Jamaal Williams late in the first half and ran for 34 yards on 12 carries.
The Saints defense did the rest, holding the Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young to 153 yards passing in his Monday Night Football debut.
The New Orleans defense limited Carolina to just 239 yards and sacked Young four times. The Saints nearly made it two full games without allowing a touchdown.
Shaq Thompson
Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Shaq Thompson was carted off the field with what the team said was a right ankle injury against the New Orleans Saints.
After the game, head coach Frank Reich told reporters that Thompson suffered a “significant” ankle injury and will be out indefinitely, according to Adam Schefter, ESPN Senior NFL Insider.
Panthers’ HC Frank Reich told reporters that LB Shaq Thompson suffered a “significant” ankle injury tonight vs. the Saints and he now will be out indefinitely.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2023
The team initially said he had a shin injury, then said after halftime he hurt his ankle. Thompson was injured late in the first quarter when Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning and Panthers defensive lineman DeShawn Williams were engaged in a block and rolled up on the back of Thompson’s right leg as he was trying to make a tackle.
UPDATES: Saints defeat Panthers 20-17
Saints now lead 20-9. Only 3:14 left and Panthers' offense has been stagnant for the most part.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
TONY TD x2#Saints | @OchsnerHealth pic.twitter.com/at9S4WQyvD
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 19, 2023
Young's 26-yard scramble was the longest run by a quarterback in the NFL this season. It set up a field goal to pull the Panthers within 13-9 with 5:30 remaining.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
First play longer than 15 yards on the season. https://t.co/Oq6J2gYd91
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
Saints get explosive pass play. Then a touchdown to retake the lead. First TD of the game.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
Good from 54-yards! pic.twitter.com/xblLNsoPBk
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 19, 2023
Through the first drive of the 2nd half the Panthers are 6-21 (29%) on third down this season. That ranks 30th in the league.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
UPDATE: Shaq Thompson is now OUT for the game -- it's been corrected to reflect an ankle injury. @wsoctv https://t.co/pNrMZ3uRyS
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) September 19, 2023
Frankie Luvu is a problem 💪
— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
📺: #NOvsCAR on ESPN
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwdPY pic.twitter.com/aK6SjJCPwx
YGM and Houston said party at the QB 🎉 pic.twitter.com/uuUHDcsFgw
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 19, 2023
Saints lead the Panthers 6-3 at halftime. A few boos as and Panthers ran up the middle on their final play. Bryce Young has led the offense to only one touchdown now in six quarters to start the season.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
ANOTHER ONE!
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 19, 2023
Luvu with the sack! pic.twitter.com/mOO57L56sF
Bryce Young is not handling pressure. He's 0-for-4 with two sacks, including the latest strip sack in the red zone that ended a Panthers' drive.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
Panthers QB Bryce Young still doesn’t have a completion when pressured by the Saints. He’s been pressured on four dropbacks. He’s 0-for-3 with a sack. He’s 5-for-6 for 36 yards on six dropbacks when not pressured.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 19, 2023
INJURY UPDATE: Shaq Thompson suffered a shin injury. His return is "doubtful." @wsoctv
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) September 18, 2023
I don't know that there was a single player who didn't leave the bench to be by Thompson's side as he was carted off the field.
— DaShawn Brown (@DaShawnWSOC9) September 18, 2023
He's undoubtedly one of the leaders on not only this defense, but the team. @wsoctv https://t.co/ChYviercIV
The kick is good‼️ pic.twitter.com/dVTmNnBgZ2
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) September 18, 2023
The Charlotte Observer contributed to this article.
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