Tershaun Wharton avoids a 12-man penalty by jumping out of bounds

The Carolina Panthers have a chance to move into first place in the NFC South with a win over San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. It’s a big game for a team that has missed the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons and hasn’t won the division since 2015.

Anyone questioning the magnitude of the Panthers’ Monday night game need look no further than Tershon Wharton. The veteran defensive lineman recognized the Panthers had too many men on the field with the 49ers deep in Carolina territory. The 280-pound DT did his best to avoid the penalty, sprinting to the sideline and the barrel rolled off the field.

A maximum effort from Wharton saved the Panthers a five-yard penalty. While the 49ers would pick up the first down of the game anyway, and score a touchdown two plays later, Wharton’s wild touchdown set the tone.

The 49ers batted first against the Panthers at MNF

This isn’t the first time Wharton’s hustle has paid off in a big way. Last season, when the sixth-year defender played for the Kansas City Chiefs, he made an impact off the field. While heading to the locker room after the game, Wharton rescued a young fan who had fallen from the stands.

On Monday night, Wharton helped the Panthers save five yards.

If Brock Purdy had channeled his inner Aaron Rodgers, he could have called the snap, set up the free play. But Purdy wasn’t exactly locked in at the start of the MNFl match.

The fourth-year quarterback struggled mightily against Carolina. Aside from a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jawan Jennings on San Francisco’s opening drive, Purdy had a nightmare first half, throwing three interceptions.

After an early hit, the Panthers went on three straight drives to beat Purdy. However, Carolina was unable to capitalize on the turnovers. After Purdy’s first interception, Bryce Young recovered, returning the ball right back to the 49ers. The Panthers went three and out after the second pick.

Carolina finally scored after a third turnover. But San Francisco’s defense was able to limit the damage as the Panthers were held to just three points off three interceptions in the first half.