CHARLOTTE – When Carolina’s 44-16 win over Washington went final, it meant the Panthers had improved to 10-0.
For defensive end Charles Johnson, it meant his season was finally going to begin again.
After Johnson suffered a hamstring injury during the Week 3 victory over New Orleans, the Panthers placed him on injured reserve/designated for return, ruling him out for at least eight weeks.
"That was very frustrating. At first, I didn’t understand it," Johnson said. "But eventually I saw the bigger picture and understood."
The Panthers wanted to make sure Johnson, a nine-year veteran with 84 career starts and the unquestioned leader of the defensive line, was ready for the stretch run.