CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — John Kasay kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Carolina Panthers a 3-0 lead against the Miami Dolphins after the first quarter Thursday night.
The Panthers started strong, mixing in some of the no-huddle offense they rolled out in last week’s win against Atlanta to march downfield on the opening drive. Carolina put together a 5 1/2-minute drive and pushed all the way to the Miami 7 before Joey Porter – who was inactive for what was cryptically described as a “coach’s decision” last week – sacked Jake Delhomme on third-and-goal.
That forced Carolina to settle for Kasay’s kick with 9:31 left.
Both teams were playing their first game since losing key starters to season-ending injuries last week. Ricky Williams started at running back in place of Ronnie Brown, Miami’s top rusher who was placed on injured reserve because of a right foot injury sustained against Tampa Bay.
Brown had run for 648 yards and eight touchdowns, but more importantly, he served as the team’s triggerman on the wildcat – a formation the Brown-less Dolphins didn’t use in the first quarter Thursday. Williams ran for 7 yards on three carries in the period.
Carolina was playing without left tackle Jordan Gross, who broke his right ankle last week. The Panthers moved veteran Travelle Wharton from guard to tackle to replace Gross, while Mackenzy Bernadeau moved to Wharton’s spot at guard.
Carolina running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart both played despite nagging injuries, running for a combined 55 yards in the quarter.
The night got off to a bumpy start for Panthers receiver Steve Smith, who was involved in a minor car accident on the way to the game. A team official said somebody “bumped into” Smith’s car, but he was able to drive to the stadium afterward and had a 10-yard catch for a first down on Carolina’s second offensive play.
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