So much for that high-flying Panthers’ passing offense. A week after Bryce Young broke Cam Newton’s single-game, franchise record with 448 passing yards in a win at Atlanta, the third-year QB couldn’t get anything going downfield. Young’s 29-yard TD pass to Tetairoa McMillan was the Panthers’ only explosive of the game. Worse, Young threw a pair of interceptions, including a momentum-killing pick in the end zone when the Panthers had first-and-goal at the 1 on their first offensive possession. Young was 18-of-29 passing for 169 yards and a 60.8 passer rating.
The Panthers’ already banged-up defense tried to keep the game close in the first half before wearing down in the second. With the 49ers holding a 15-minute edge in time of possession, the Panthers lost the war of attrition. Cornerback Jaycee Horn, who tied his career high with two interceptions in the first half, didn’t play a snap in the second half and was ruled out with a concussion. Corey Thornton, Horn’s replacement, left with an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return. That meant the Panthers were down to their fourth CB (Chau Smith-Wade) and fourth and fifth linebackers. Carolina already was without both starting LBs, then saw Claudin Cherelus exit in the first half with a concussion. They better get healthy in a hurry: The Rams visit Charlotte on Sunday.