The Carolina Panthers have a major game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday with everything on the line. The winner of the game will take home to NFC South title and the division’s only playoff berth this season.
It’s something that’s not wasted on the Panthers’ players, either.
“We get to start the playoffs a week early,” quarterback Bryce Young said. “This is what we wanted, what we were excited for, so we’ll have a quick 24. We’ll come back tomorrow, make sure we grow from it, and we’ll flush it. Again, we get started one week early, so we’re grateful for that opportunity.”
Unfortunately for Young, one of his breakout pass catchers will be missing the game, according to one prominent insider around the league.
“Panthers impressive young TE JT Sanders suffered a broken ankle and will have surgery this week, coach Dave Canales told reporters,” reported NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“Huge loss. Sanders was one of the few consistent bright spots in that offense,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Sanders was the only solvent asset on that entire roster. Losing him is a total write-down. The Panthers are now just a shell company for bad contracts and medical liabilities. I would recommend shorting this team, but the stock is already trading at zero,” someone else added.
“Being a Panthers fan is actually a psychological experiment and I would like to opt out now,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Panthers can overcome the loss to reach the playoffs.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.