CHARLOTTE Blue Michael Palardy Jersey , N.C. (AP) —first two opponents to 141 rushing yards. That made what happened in their third game all the more surprising.Christian McCaffrey ran for a career-best 184 yards and the Panthers piled up 230 yards on the ground and got two rushing scores from Cam Newton on Sunday in a 31-21 victory .“This is a different style of offense and attack and you’ve got to adjust and morph and play it and make sure we stay sound in it and play it all the time,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “We had moments where we played it perfectly. Then we had others where we didn’t.”The Panthers gouged the Bengals with runs up the middle by McCaffrey, who ran free at times behind an offensive line beset with injuries.“They switched up some run fits that we weren’t expecting,” Bengals defensive tackle Andrew Billings said. “They did a few misdirection plays, screens, throw backs, nothing that we shouldn’t have stopped. We just have to get better defensively and executing.”Still, Cincinnati’s struggles against the run should be of some concern heading into next Sunday’s game at Atlanta, which traditionally has one of the best running games in the NFL behind running backs Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman — although Freeman has missed the last two games with an injury.“They caught us in a couple bad positions and made plays,” said Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap. “This is the NFL and their players are going to make plays, too. You have to eliminate as many of those you can. We did not do a good job of that today.”Some things to know from Carolina’s win over Cincinnati:SAFETY HELP NEEDEDThe Panthers felt the loss of injured starting strong safety Da’Norris Searcy, as fill-in Colin Jones, a special teams regular, was beat on two touchdown passes . Jones was replaced by rookie Rashaan Gaulden in the fourth quarter and he could be the starter coming out of the bye week if the Panthers don’t add a veteran safety.“Colin Jones is a very physical player, a downhill player and Gaulden has some athleticism and range Michael Palardy Jersey 2019 ,” coach Ron Rivera said. “We decided down the stretch we were going to give Gaulden some opportunities.”Searcy is on the IR after sustaining two concussions in five weeks.ACTION JACKSONThe Panthers said right away they felt like they landed a big-time player when they drafted speedy cornerback Donte Jackson in the second round, and he’s proving GM Marty Hurney correct.Jackson has three interceptions in the last two games, including two Sunday.“I was like, ‘I appreciate you (No.) 14,” Jackson said of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton. “He was being very generous out there.”Jackson’s pick at midfield with 3:33 to play set up Graham Gano’s 40-yard field goal to make it a 10-point game and seal Carolina’s win.BOYD FILLS THE VOIDWith A.J. Green sitting on a cooler on the sideline nursing a groin injury in the second half and the running game sputtering, the Bengals’ turned to receiver Tyler Boyd. Boyd did his part, finishing with 132 yards receiving and a touchdown.He found open space when the play broke down, and Dalton found him.“It’s backyard football,” said Dalton, who threw for 352 yards and two scores but was intercepted four times. “Go get open. He did a great job . and made plays.”Boyd’s 27-yard score in the third drew Cincinnati to within 28-21. He also had a 49-yard catch for the game’s longest play.“We work on the scramble drill,” Boyd said. “When I see him rolling out, I have to find the open space on the field. Andy (Dalton) did a great job escaping the pocket and finding his wide-open target.”Green said after the game he expects to play against Atlanta on Sunday, but Lewis said it’s too early to know if his star receiver will be ready.NOT SO STELLAR DAYS: Giovani Bernard had different results last time Cincinnati played Carolina. Bernard rushed for an 89-yard score and a career-best 137 yards in 37-37 tie. On Sunday, he had 61 rushing yards and a score on 12 carries as the Bengals focused mainly on their passing game.“When those opportunities come, we have to capitalize on them Daryl Williams Jersey 2019 ,” Bernard said.PAVING THE WAYHaving three starters out on the offensive line didn’t prevent the Panthers from moving the football on the ground. In fact, the Panthers thrived, averaging 5.6 yards per carry .“Honestly it doesn’t really matter for us whether people are praising us or calling us a makeshift offensive line,” said center Ryan Kalil. “We have to go to work, and we have to do our job. I’m very happy with the guys we’ve got in the group.”Panthers tackles Matt Kalil and Daryl Williams are on the injured reserve, while guard Trai Turner is out with a concussion. Tyler Larsen stepped in for Turner for the second straight week, while Chris Clark and Taylor Moton started at tackle. Cam Newton was sacked once. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Eric Reid’s return to the NFL created a buzz around the league on Thursday, six months after he filed a grievance alleging collusion by the NFL to prevent teams from signing him because of his participation in racial injustice protests during the national anthem alongside former San Francisco 49ers teammate Colin Kaepernick.Some NFL players were excited about the 2013 Pro Bowl safety signing a one-year deal with the Panthers, but were quick to point out they believe Kaepernick should be back in the league as well.Kaepernick congratulated his Reid on Twitter , saying Reid “should have been signed the 1st day of free agency. … He was the 1ST person 2 kneel alongside me. Eric is a social justice warrior, continues to support his family and communities in need.”Browns running back Carlos Hyde, who played with Reid and Kaepernick in San Francisco, was stunned to hear his former teammate had been picked up by the Panthers.“For real?” Hyde said following Cleveland’s practice. “I’m so happy for him. It’s been too long. I kind of felt like they was doing him the same way they were doing Kap, so it’s good to see E-Reid got signed and Kap should definitely be up next. It would be a real good thing then.”Said Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett Blue Daryl Williams Jersey , “It’s about time.”As for Reid, who filed his grievance in May, he was mum during the hoopla on Thursday, declining comment through the Panthers and not weighing in on social media except to re-tweet Kaepernick.The 26-year-old Reid said in March that he doesn’t plan to protest during the national anthem this season. The Panthers have a bye this week and next play at home on Oct. 7 against the New York Giants.Kaepernick, who filed his grievance in October 2017 and remains a free agent, began protesting racial and social injustice during the 2016 preseason by kneeling during the national anthem. Reid later joined the quarterback. After that other players around the league joined in, much to the displeasure of President Trump, who Tweeted at players to “Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!”That sparked a polarizing political debate that divided some NFL fans.Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills knelt during this year’s season opener against the Titans.“I’m just happy for (Reid), excited to see him get out there on the field and be the impact player we all know he is,” Stills said Thursday. “Obviously I feel like he should have been signed the first day of free agency.”Stills said he spoke to Kaepernick, his close friend, on Thursday.“He wants to play. He’s good enough to play. He deserves to play,” Stills said. “I don’t see why a team won’t sign him, or hasn’t signed him.”The decision by the Panthers to sign Reid comes less than three months after David Tepper bought the team from conservative owner Jerry Richardson.Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said he wasn’t concerned about Reid’s past protests, telling The Associated Press it was a “football decision” — and one that was approved by Tepper.“Every decision we make we communicate with” Tepper Mario Addison Jersey 2019 , the GM said. “Everybody we sign we ask if he has the skill set, does he fit into our system, and if he can help us win football games — and we feel the answer is yes.”Eric Reid’s younger brother, Justin, who plays safety for the Texans, said he is “immensely proud” of what his older brother stands for “in trying to have a voice for the voiceless.”When asked if he believes his brother was not signed earlier by NFL teams because of his decision to protest, Justin Reid said “I’m going to try and defer away from that.”Reid is expected to start right away after the Panthers placed starter Da’Norris Searcy on injured reserve last week with a concussion. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Reid played the first five seasons of his NFL career with San Francisco after the 49ers selected him in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. He has started 69 games.“He’s a physical safety with good ball skills and he makes plays and he has experience,” Hurney said. “He’s a young player with skins on the wall. He has played at a very high level.”Forty Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh confirmed Thursday they inquired about signing Reed this week after injuries to Jaquiski Tartt and Adrian Colbert.“E-Reid is familiar with our system and we know him, are comfortable with him,” Saleh said. “Obviously, it didn’t work out, but any time you have the opportunity you explore it.”