Carolina Panthers' best defender suffers potential season-ending knee injury

Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown was poised for a big year, but it might be over just as soon as it began.

Tim Weaver | Sep 9, 2024

Sep 8, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) walks off the field before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

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Carolina Panthers

If Carolina Panthers fans have learned anything over the last few years, it should be that no matter how bad things look they can always get worse. Yesterday's 37-point drubbing at the hands of the New Orleans Saints was discouraging enough, but now the team has to deal with a potential season-ending injury to their best defender.

According to a report by Tom Pelissero at NFL Network, Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown suffered a meniscus injury in the team's season opener yesterday which will require surgery. It has the potential to put him out for the rest of the season.

#Panthers Pro Bowl DL Derrick Brown suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s loss to the #Saints, per sources.

The meniscus injury will require surgery, which will determine the exact timeline. A brutal blow in Week 1. pic.twitter.com/CHtGjtlXFK
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 9, 2024

It's antoher brutal blow for a fanbase that's suffered as much as any around the NFL ever since David Tepper bought the team in July of 2018. Their run defense was already pretty poor against the Saints yeterday, but with Brown out expect opponents to ram the ball down Carolina's throat at will.