I completely missed this change at the beginning of the game but I went to the gamebook and confirmed it.
Defensive end Kony Ealy – replaced by Wes Horton in the starting lineup – didn’t record a tackle, but he picked off Palmer late in the fourth quarter to seal the win for Carolina.
Horton didn't record a tackle either, he didn't log a stat at all. Though Horton started Ealy got more snaps (40 to 29) so it seems like it was a performance based benching intended to light a fire under the player many thought was ready to take the next step this season.