Panthers’ Ted Ginn Jr. Scores Incredible TD In Injury-Filled, 23-20 Win Over Saints

Carolina receiver Ted Ginn Jr. caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Cam Newton to lead the Panthers to a 23-20 home victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night, in a game marred by injuries to top players.

Panthers’ Tedd Ginn Jr. Scores Incredible TD In Injury-Filled, 23-20 Win Over Saints

The Panthers (4-6) have now won three straight games and pulled even with the Saints for third place in the NFC South.

Jonathan Stewart also ran for a touchdown and Graham Gano scored three field goals.

With under 30 seconds remaining in the first half, the Panthers were struggling to get within field goal range, after Carolina’s James Bradberry was flagged for a penalty, which got linebacker Luke Kuechly’s blocked kick return called back.

However, on the first play after the blocked kick and called-back return, Newton saw Ginn going deep and capitalized on this. Ginn caught the ball right at the back of the end zone, and though he brought the ball down and fell out the back of the painted area, the throw was initially ruled incomplete. In real time, it seemed that way. Upon further review, however, video showed that Ginn actually managed to drag his feet inbounds while making the catch to make it count for a touchdown.

Here is the insane play:

The win came at a cost for the Panthers, however. Kuechly, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, left early due to a concussion. Carolina also lost two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), defensive end Mario Addison (foot), and cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest) to injuries. Kuechly was carted off the field, crying in pain.

Newton finished 14 of 33 for 192 yards.

The Saints, meanwhile, lost running back Mark Ingram to a concussion in the third quarter.

The Panthers, who blew a 17-point lead and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs last week, entered the fourth quarter with a 23-3 lead before injuries set in.

Drew Brees, who was held to 171 yards and no touchdowns in the first three quarters, rallied New Orleans back to within 23-20, connecting on touchdown passes to Brandon Coleman and Coby Fleener. Brees threw for 285 yards.

The two teams previously met on Oct. 16. In that game, Brees threw for 465 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-38 win over the Panthers.

The Panthers will next visit the Oakland Raiders on Nov. 27, while the Saints will host the Los Angeles Rams that same day.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 06: Ted Ginn #19 of the Carolina Panthers warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 6, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)