Written by MARK LONG, AP’s Professional Football Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Panthers owner David Tepper threw the contents of a drink into the visiting crowd near the end of Carolina’s 26-0 loss at Jacksonville on Sunday.

Tepper’s reaction came after rookie Bryce Young was intercepted with less than 3 minutes to play. It was unclear whether Tepper was reacting to something said to him or the latest miscue for the team with the NFL’s worst record.

General manager Scott Fitterer was standing near Tepper when he tossed the remnants of his drink while watching the game from a club suite.

The Carolina Panthers (2-14) suffered their ninth consecutive loss on the road and were held scoreless for the first time since their defeat against Atlanta in Week 12 of 2002. Additionally, their loss guarantees the Chicago Bears the first pick in the upcoming NFL draft in April.

Carolina had a rough game and if Jacksonville hadn’t struggled in the red zone, the final score would have been more one-sided.

Bryce Young’s passing performance included 19 completions out of 32 attempts for a total of 112 yards, but unfortunately also resulted in one interception and six sacks. This brings his total number of sacks to a staggering 59.

“It wasn’t enjoyable. Not at all,” stated Young. “It’s our responsibility. It’s the content we produced. We take ownership and acknowledge it. It’s the reality of the situation, though it’s not enjoyable.”

Carolina encountered problems prior to the coin toss.

Eddy Pineiro, the kicker, hurt his right hamstring during warmups before the game and was unable to play. Kamu Grugier-Hill, the starting linebacker, took over the opening kickoff. The interim coach, Chris Tabor, chose to keep the offense on the field for a fourth-and-7 play instead of attempting a field goal on the team’s first drive.

Young was fired and received a blow to his back. He was examined on the sidelines for several minutes and came back in time for the following series.

Tabor stated that having only one kicker on your team at 48 is a challenging situation.

Jaycee Horn, the cornerback, was unexpectedly unable to play due to a toe injury even though he had been expected to start and CJ Henderson had been listed as inactive. Shaquill Griffin was then forced to take his place in the starting lineup.

Griffin suffered a 48-yard loss, contributing to an overall underwhelming performance from the visiting team.

Tabor expressed his disappointment and gave a vague response. He was surprised by the outcome and gives credit to the Jaguars. He did not anticipate this result based on how the team was previously doing.

“We were unable to get back on course. We had discussed the importance of a strong start this week, but we failed to do so. How do you plan to address this issue? There are only two options: show character or make compromises. These are questions that everyone must consider.”

During the game, the Panthers faced additional challenges due to injuries. Guard Cade Mays had to exit the game due to a finger injury, while linebacker Marquis Haynes, a seasoned player from Jacksonville, sustained a concussion in the third quarter and had to be taken off the field by cart. He was then transported to a hospital for further evaluation and did not travel back with the team.

Haynes exited the stadium and showed a gesture of approval to the audience with his thumb. This was one of the rare moments that the Carolina supporters had to celebrate.

The Panthers gained a total of 124 yards, had a 1 for 13 success rate on third down attempts, and experienced the ejection of defensive lineman Derrick Brown and Jacksonville left tackle Cam Robinson in the final quarter. After a play, both players were seen removing each other’s helmets.

Young stated that there were missed chances and a lack of execution throughout the team. He acknowledged that there are numerous areas in which he needs to improve, and the entire team takes responsibility for their offensive performance. They all reflect on their individual contributions and the word “disconnected” accurately describes the team’s dynamic.

“I failed to perform and communicate effectively, and regarding the offense, it is my responsibility.”

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Source: wralsportsfan.com