2 rookies for injury-plagued Panthers go down vs. Saints

The Panthers keep losing contributors to injury.

Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans (84) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers managed to avoid any major injuries last week, but they remain pretty banged up. They're missing several offensive linemen and a few defensive players as well. Their injury woes, unfortunately, continued on Sunday in the first half.

In what has so far been a very ugly first half for both teams, the Panthers have seen rookies Princely Umanmielen and Mitchell Evans leave. Umanmielen went down with a groin injury on the first drive. He was in the medical tent while the Panthers made a goalline stand and forced a short field goal.

Then in the second quarter, on a one-yard run for Rico Dowdle, who has the only touchdown in the contest so far, Evans went down while blocking. It has been confirmed as an ankle injury, and he was down for a bit.

Players from both teams kneeled around him before he got up and made his way off the field under his own power. He skipped the medical tent, though, and hobbled straight to the locker room. Umanmielen eventually returned midway through the second quarter, but Evans is questionable.

Neither is a starter at their position, but the Panthers' depth has been hit bad by injuries. The Panthers currently lead, although it's been a rough go on offense. They're up 7-3 midway through the second quarter looking to move to 6-4.

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