Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned after ‘cheap’ hit by Falcons
For a full analysis of the Panthers’ 25-17 loss to the Falcons on Thursday night, click here.
Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was injured in Thursday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. He returned to the game after suffering a neck injury with over 9 minutes remaining.
The quarterback cleared concussion protocol.
Bridgewater appeared to be hit in the head by Falcons DE Charles Harris on a third down sack at the Falcons 37-yard line. The Panthers went on to kick a 39-yard Joey Slye field goal at the end of the drive. Atlanta remained in the lead, 19-17.
Harris was disqualified after the play. De Dante Fowler was also penalized for tripping after he stuck his leg out to bring down the quarterback. Harris then hit him in the head once he was already on the ground.
“It was just a play where I was stepping up in the pocket. I just knew that someone stuck their leg out from Atlanta and as I was tripped, I was stumbling and I knew at some point guys would be swarming so I just tried to get down and protect myself,” Bridgewater said. “I don’t really know who hit me, I just know that somebody got ejected. I was in the tent when all that happened so I didn’t really get to see. I know we finished with a field goal so I think the guys responded well.”
Quarterback P.J. Walker came in for Bridgewater. Walker was the only available quarterback for the Panthers with second-year quarterback Will Grier inactive.
Bridgewater sat on the field for many minutes before going into the blue medical tent. He then emerged from the tent and put on his gloves and began throwing the football.
“He went inside (the medical tent). He cleared. They came back. I don’t know what they did inside. They followed protocol. They said he cleared protocol,” head coach Matt Rhule said. “He was up. He was trying to get his neck to loosen up and finally, when it did, he went back in the game.”
He completed 15 of 23 passes for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception, in addition to five rushes for 30 yards. He was sacked twice.
“I just want to say I really appreciate Teddy too for his fight to get back into the game,” running back Mike Davis said. “I know a lot of guys would have quit but he came back and fought so I just want to say I really appreciated that a lot. He didn’t quit. That’s something I love to see and that’s a quarterback I’d love to play for any day.”
Davis said he felt like the hit by Harris on Bridgewater was “cheap.”
“I think it was a cheap shot. It was late. Hit him in the neck,” Davis said. “That’s just something you just hate to see. That’s unnecessary.”
Bridgewater finished out the game, throwing a game-ending interception.
This story was originally published October 29, 2020 at 10:38 PM.
