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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 05: Michael Jackson #2 of the Carolina Panthers tackles Ray-Ray McCloud III #34 of the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The NFL is punishing two Carolina Panthers players for actions during the team’s Week 15 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.
The league announced Saturday that cornerback Michael Jackson was fined $20,611—the second-highest fine across the NFL — for unnecessary roughness and a use of helmet violation on Chris Olave in the fourth quarter with 7:44 remaining. Jackson was not penalized during the game.
Panthers offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu was fined $11,593 for unnecessary roughness, a retaliatory late hit on Cam Jordan after Jordan had pushed Bryce Young near the sideline. Jordan was not fined.
Three Saints players were also fined: offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. received an $11,593 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct/taunting in the third quarter with 5:00 remaining; running back Devin Neal was fined $5,015 for an unsportsmanlike violent gesture in the second quarter with 6:54 remaining; and linebacker Danny Stutsman was fined $6,095 for unnecessary roughness/use of helmet violation in the first quarter with 14:08 remaining.
The Panthers (7-7) fell to the Saints (4-10), 20-17, on a game-winning field goal.
Lathan Ransom Not Fined for Crucial Illegal Hit on Tyler Shough
Tyler Shough orchestrated two late scoring drives for the Saints in the final five minutes, with the second culminating in Charlie Smyth’s 47-yard field goal as time expired.
Shough’s final run set up the game-winning kick: he slid feet first at the Carolina 44-yard line and absorbed a hit to the head area from Lathan Ransom, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The penalty advanced the ball to the 29-yard line with nine seconds remaining. Ransom was not fined on Saturday.
“It’s difficult; every yard matters in that situation,” Ransom said postgame, according to ESPN. “He’s running the ball, and I’m just thinking stop him as fast as I can.
“I’m mad I got the penalty,” Ransom added. “He’s a quarterback. So, I guess I’ve got to be more aware of the situation and let him slide.”
Bryce Young is Much Improved But Not Off the Charts
Young went 15 of 24 for 163 yards and a touchdown through the air, adding 49 yards on seven carries on the ground. The Panthers are chasing their first playoff berth since 2017, and a win in New Orleans would have put them in position to clinch the division by taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – DECEMBER 14: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers scrambles during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on December 14, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
“It was just a lack of execution,” Young said. “We’re a team that prides ourselves on the finish and we didn’t get that done today. It’s not going to feel good for 24 hours. … We have a locker room full of guys who want to do better.”
Through the 2025 NFL season, Young has completed about 63.3% of his passes, throwing for roughly 2,500 yards with 19 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, and has a passer rating at 88.4.
The former No. 1 overall pick in 2023 has shown improvement and consistent production as Carolina’s starter this year, though his efficiency numbers sit slightly below the league’s top quarterbacks.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, legal affairs and entertainment. Drake has covered sports, including the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories, since 2019. More about Drake Bentley
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