Next on my list of top moments that defined the Carolina Panthers in 2014 is one that negatively impacted much of what the team did offensively for an eight-game stretch.
No. 5: Tolbert breaks leg
Date and place: Sept. 21, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
The moment: With just over four minutes to play in a 37-19 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pro Bowl fullback Mike Tolbert suffered a hairline fracture in his left leg on a hit by former Carolina safety Mike Mitchell.
Why it was so significant: The Panthers were 2-1 when Tolbert was put on injured reserve with a designation to return. They went 1-1-6 while he was out. They went 5-2 -- including 1-1 in the playoffs -- after he returned. They were a combined 7-3 with Tolbert. The seven-year veteran plays a big part of Carolina’s red-zone offense because of his ability to run, block, and catch out of the backfield. Without him, the Panthers struggled inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, finishing the season ranked 26th in the NFL in red zone touchdown percentage. Without him, players such as Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen had to stay in the backfield to block more, taking another valuable receiver out of the mix. Tolbert had 12 touchdowns the previous two years, and was a big part of the short-yardage offense. Losing him for eight games had a profound impact on the offense, and was a factor during a seven-game winless streak.