CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Jan. 22, 2006) -- Carolina Panthers running back Nick Goings was injured in the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game when his helmet collided with a defender.
Goings was standing but appeared woozy after the play, and had to be helped off the field. The Panthers said he was "shaken up" and his return was questionable.
Later, in the second quarter, Goings was seen being helped from the sideline to the locker room.
Starting this week because Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster are out with injuries, Goings ran into Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu on a running play that went for no gain. The two smashed helmets and both players fell backward.
Foster broke his leg in Carolina's divisional playoffs win over Chicago on Jan. 15. Davis failed to fully recover from major knee surgery last year and was placed on the injured reserve list Dec. 17.
Goings was a sixth-string running back last season until injuries forced him into a starting role. He closed last year with five games of at least 100 yards rushing.
