Panthers' Bridgewater returns from late hit in TNF loss vs. Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater exited Thursday's contest with a neck injury after taking a late hit from Atlanta Falcons pass-rusher Charles Harris, but the passer later returned.

The Falcons' pass rush tripped up Bridgewater before Harris' hit. The defensive end was ejected for the play.

P.J. Walker filled in while the injured quarterback was in the medical tent, completing one of his four pass attempts for three yards.

Bridgewater was spotted warming up on the sideline, and it was later announced he cleared the concussion protocol. He reentered the game midway through the fourth quarter.

The 27-year-old went back into the game with the Panthers down 25-17 in the fourth quarter, but he couldn't lead a comeback. Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Bridgewater on Carolina's final drive, sealing the result.

His quarterback's resilience despite the loss impressed Panthers running back Mike Davis.

"A lot of guys would have been like, 'Yeah, I'm not going back in.' ... That sends a message of what type of person he is," Davis said postgame, according to The Athletic's Joe Person.

Bridgewater finished with 176 passing yards and was sacked three times. The loss sinks the Panthers to 3-5.