Allen Rossum remained in the game, but the eighth-year veteran said later that knew he was significantly injured when he fielded a punt at the Atlanta 23 and couldn't run.
Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, fullback Justin Griffith and receiver Jerome Pathon returned three of the next four kickoffs an average of 22 yards. Carolina's John Kasay sent one kickoff out of bounds.
Hall returned one punt 17 yards and fared much better than receiver Brian Finneran, who called for two fair catches inside the 10 and rack back another attempt just five yards.
Leigh Torrence, an undrafted rookie, took Rossum's place in some nickel situations.