CHARLOTTE — The Panthers suffered a painful loss Monday night against the 49ers, and the medical report offered little reprieve.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Tuesday that rookie cornerback Corey Thornton , who had worked his way to more playing time recently, would be lost for the season with a broken fibula.

Thornton, an undrafted rookie from Louisville, had stepped into the secondary mix and had earned the respect of his peers and coaches with his work ethic and preparation. He's also made plays.

"The one thing about Corey, though, that, since Day 1, since he's got here, his preparation habits have been second to none," defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said last week. "I mean veteran habits, in the classroom, on the field, in the training room, in the weight room, how he t

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