by Sports Xchange

Davis, the team's leading tackler and arguably the defense's most valuable player in the first half of the season, injured his knee in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Saints.

"He's played very well, and I feel bad for the young man because he's put a lot into it and he was playing at a high level," coach John Fox said. "It's unfortunate, and I feel bad for him and his family. ... He's a tough-minded guy, and whatever the extent of the injury is, I'm sure he'll deal with it in the right manner."

As Davis stood near his locker changing into his clothes after Sunday's game, he looked angry and disappointed. When defensive tackle Hollis Thomas called over to him, "Are you OK?" Davis simply shook his head no and went back to what he was doing.

Davis missed four weeks in training camp with a sprained MCL to the same right knee he injured Sunday.

Landon Johnson, who led the Bengals in tackles for three seasons, is expected to fill in for Davis.

Other than Davis, the Panthers came out of Sunday's game without any additional injuries. Fox had no update on the status of the five players who were held out of Sunday's game -- receiver Muhsin Muhammad, tight end Dante Rosario, fullbacks Brad Hoover and Tony Fiammetta and free safety Charles Godfrey.