CHARLOTTE – Devin Funchess didn't exactly envision spending most of the first quarter against San Diego getting stitches for the first time in his life.
But that was the situation for the wide receiver after taking a low hit from Chargers safety Jahleel Addae and landing square on his face.
"I thought I had enough separation, but he took my knee out," Funchess recalled. "I hit my face, and my tooth split my lip. I thought I bit my tongue off. I was happy it was just my lip.
"I was all good. I was just trying to get back on the field."
Funchess got stitched up and returned in the closing minutes of the first quarter, though trainers were performing maintenance on his lip throughout the game.
When the offense started a drive early in the second quarter, it was Funchess who made a major impact.
On second-and-10, quarterback Cam Newton connected with him for a 27-yard gain to get things rolling.
Moments later, on third-and-goal, Funchess gained some separation against cornerback Trevor Williams in the slot, and Newton fired a strike for a 6-yard touchdown.
When asked if the injury provided any additional motivation, Funchess downplayed that idea.
"I make those plays regardless. You don't have to get hurt to go make a play," he said.
As Newton would say after the game, Funchess was simply doing his job. But the day's work was a little tougher than usual. Funchess has the wound to prove it.
"It was good for him to come back and show that toughness," Newton said. "He already had my respect, and for him to do that made it even better."
View game action photos from Carolina's 28-16 win over San Diego.
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Kawann Short (99) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) reaches the ball over the goal line for a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Daryl Worley (26) intercepts a pass intended for San Diego Chargers' Tyrell Williams (16) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) runs for a long gain as San Diego Chargers' Adrian Phillips (31) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) catches a touchdown pass as San Diego Chargers' Trevor Williams (42) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Devin Funchess (17) celebrates with Cam Newton (1) after a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) is sacked by Carolina Panthers' Ryan Delaire (91) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) rolls over a San Diego Chargers player in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) tries to avoid San Diego Chargers' Joey Bosa (99) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) throws a pass against the San Diego Chargers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
San Diego Chargers' Hunter Henry (86) catches a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) runs as San Diego Chargers' Corey Liuget (94) pursues in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Greg Olsen (88) is tackled by San Diego Chargers' Dwight Lowery (20) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly, center, cheers on his team in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) is hit by Carolina Panthers' Shaq Thompson (54) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) runs against the Carolina Panthers after losing his helmet in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Dontrelle Inman (15) catches a touchdown pass against Carolina Panthers' James Bradberry (24) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Trovon Reed, right, intercepts a pass intended for Carolina Panthers' Kelvin Benjamin, left, in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) defends a pass intended for San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates (85) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) intercepts a pass intended for San Diego Chargers' Tyrell Williams (16) in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart (28) run past several San Diego Chargers players in the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
