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Charles Johnson ruled out for Panthers with hamstring injury

By Ian O'Brien

Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) gets carted to the locker room after an injury during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) gets carted to the locker room after an injury during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Charles Johnson will be out for the Panthers this week with a hamstring injury

The Carolina Panthers defense held strong and helped lead the team to a 3-0 start this past Sunday, but defensive end Charles Johnson left the game with a hamstring injury. Carolina will now be without their star defensive end for at least one game, according to the Panthers official website.

Johnson was taken out of the game in the third quarter, but the Panthers refused to let the New Orleans Saints achieve their first win as quarterback Cam Newton rushed for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Although Saints quarterback Luke McCown led his team to the red zone on the final drive, Panthers cornerback Josh Norman stepped up and sealed a 27-22 win with an interception in the end zone.

However, the Panthers will be forced to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers without their top pass rusher.

This marks another major blow to one of the top defensive units in the NFL, which missed the presence of All-Pro inside linebacker Luke Kuechly. However, the outlook of Kuechly returning from his concussion is optimistic for the Panthers.

The Panthers also have a perfectly timed bye week coming up after they play the Buccaneers, who figure to be one of the Panthers’ weakest opponents. Tampa Bay has continued to look like one of the NFL’s worst teams this season, as they failed to score more than nine points in a loss to the Houston Texans and fell to 1-2.

The Panthers have a golden opportunity to start their season with a 4-0 record, which would be ideal considering their upcoming schedule.

After the Panthers return from their bye week, they will have to face the Seattle Seahawks on the road. They will then be forced to take on a brutal homestand against the Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers.

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