Coach Dave Canales' Bryce Young-led Carolina Panthers took on Jared Goff's Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football and it was a tough one on the injury front amid a strong Tetairoa McMillan first half performance. The Panthers led 32-19 early in the fourth quarter as a rejuvenated Young made due without a key protector who was lost due to injury.

The fantasy sports site SleeperPanthers broke the news on X as the page revealed that offensive tackle Monroe Freeling was out for the rest of the game with a knee issue.

Freeling was selected 19th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft out of Georgia and has performed well for Canales' young Panthers offense. He cleared the NFL's concussion protocol ahead of Week 4's home game but failed to stay healthy amid fast and frenzied action at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Young made the most of the protection he got throughout the game as he led the Panthers to 16 first-half points followed by 13 points in the third quarter. He missed Jalen Coker due to injury but still performed well. Article Continues Below
The former Alabama star looked comfortable against a Kelvin Sheppard-led Lions defense that looked in over its head for much of the contest. Young got big games from Chubba Hubbard on the ground and McMillan through the air as the Panthers took the fight to Detroit throughout the game.
Freeling's loss was a big one considering the talent he possesses, but Canales' team did its best to carry on after the untimely loss. The Panthers are growing up one game at a time, and the hope is Freeling will be back to join in on the process again.