(Charlotte) Tony Jones Jr. scored two rushing touchdowns, rookie Blake Grupe kicked two field goals and the New Orleans Saints beat the Carolina Panthers 20-17 Monday night to improve their record to 2- 0 at the start of the season for the first time since 2013.

Saints running back Jamaal Williams injured his hamstring during the second quarter. Jones Jr. replaced him and made 12 carries, for 34 yards.

“It was amazing,” Saints head coach Dennis Allen said. He was fantastic. We ran the ball well. His two touchdowns were huge for him and the team. »

The Saints limited Panthers (0-2) quarterback Bryce Young to 153 passing yards in his home debut. Young was the victim of four quarterback sacks.

The Saints almost went two complete games without allowing a touchdown, but with 1:13 left, Young threw a pass to Adam Thielen, who scored the touchdown for the Panthers. The duo then made a two-point conversion to get within three points of the Saints, but the latter took possession of the ball and ran out the remaining time.

Derek Carr finished the game with 228 passing yards for the Saints.

“There are so many things we can still improve on,” Carr said. On the other hand, it’s good to be 2-0. »

Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson was carried off the field with what the team announced was a right ankle injury.

Thompson was injured during the game and did not return to action in the game.

The Panthers initially said Thompson was questionable for the remainder of the game due to a shin injury, but the team ultimately indicated during halftime that it was an injury. ankle and his evening’s work was over.

Thompson was injured late in the first quarter when Saints offensive lineman Trevor Penning and Panthers defensive lineman DeShawn Williams made contact on a play. Thompson’s leg then took the impact of contact, while he attempted to make a tackle.