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Thanks to another effective performance from Sam Darnold and continued dominant play in their defense, the Carolina Panthers are 3-0 for the first time since 2015 when they reached the Super Bowl.
That combination was certainly too much for the Houston Texans in Carolina’s 24-9 win on Thursday night. But a hamstring injury from star running back Christian McCaffrey could cause serious problems for Darnold and the Panthers offense in the future.
“Losing Christian is tough, but I think we did a great job bouncing back,” Darnold said. “We were able to put the first half behind us and do a good job in the second half. “
Darnold threw for 304 yards and ran for two touchdowns as the Panthers passed the Texans despite losing McCaffrey early in the second quarter.
“In the second half we trusted Sam,” said coach Matt Rhule. “We were throwing more verticals and pushing the ball down the field.”
Carolina’s top-ranked defense put pressure on Houston rookie Davis Mills in his career debut, sacking him four times and keeping him to 168 passing yards. Mills was pushed into action after Tyrod Taylor suffered a hamstring injury last Sunday and was placed on the injured list.
The Panthers allowed 573 yards and 14 sacks in three games.
Darnold passed 300 passing yards for the second straight game as he continues to revitalize his career with the Panthers after being sidelined by the New York Jets.
McCaffrey came out on top of the league in scrimmage, the same thing he did in the 2019 season. But he missed all but three games in 2020 with various injuries as the Panthers fell to 5. -11 during Rhule’s first year.
Rhule said McCaffrey had hamstring strain.
“I don’t know the severity level yet, to be completely honest with you,” Rhule said. “But I knew the minute it happened, I said, ‘Hey, he’s out for the game. “That’s all I knew. I’ve seen him in there, and he’s moving, but that’s wait and see.
Darnold rushed for Carolina’s first score in the first quarter and sidelined the game when he entered from a meter to do it 24-9 with about four minutes remaining, losing his helmet in the process.
Mills pitched for a touchdown and avoided big mistakes after throwing an interception in the second half of Sunday’s loss to Cleveland. But the Texans (1-2) couldn’t run the ball, finishing with 42 rushing yards, which forced Mills to find himself in difficult downhill and distance situations as Houston kicked six times.
“We just weren’t very good offensive tonight… because we weren’t able to throw the ball,” Texans coach David Culley said.
Mills’ favorite target was Brandin Cooks, who had nine receptions for 112 yards.
“I thought he was awesome,” Cooks said of the rookie. “He behaved well. “
Darnold’s 5-yard run gave the Panthers an early lead and McCaffrey suffered an injury during Carolina’s next practice. Rookie Chuba Hubbard was stopped for no gain on the Houston 5’s fourth and 1 to end that possession.
Hubbard, a fourth-round pick from Oklahoma State, finished with 11 carries for 52 yards and three receptions for 27 yards.
Anthony Miller caught a one-yard touchdown pass about 30 seconds before half-time, but Joey Slye missed the extra point. Miller made his debut for the Texans after missing the first two games with a shoulder injury.
Tommy is shaking dotted intact in the end zone at 7 yards to give Carolina a 14-6 lead in the third quarter. The teams traded goals on the field before Darnold’s short run on third and the goal limited a 12-game disc that put him aside.
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