The Carolina Panthers had an eventful night that continued after their preseason opener against the New England Patriots.
Panthers players, coaches and staff members were on a Delta Airlines flight that veered off the taxiway and got stuck in the mud while on its way to the gate at Charlotte Douglas International Airport early Friday morning.
“The team can confirm that their chartered team plane, after landing safely, did run off the taxiway and into mud," a spokesperson for the team said in a statement to NFL.com. "The team can also confirm that no injuries were reported and one was hurt.”
The Panthers were returning from their 17-3 preseason loss in New England, the first action under new coach Dave Canales. After the plane veered off the runway and got stuck in the mud, players and staff were forced to deplane and take busses to the terminal.
“The plane, Delta Flight 8860, landed on runway 36R closest to the Billy Graham Parkway around 2:35 a.m., before it went off the taxiway into mud,” the airline said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Tropical Storm Debby unleashed record rainfall on Charlotte the previous day, according to the National Weather Service. The airport logged 4.09 inches of rain. What role the storm played in the plane going off the taxiway is unclear.
The Panthers are off Friday before resuming practices on Saturday.