Thomas Davis says broken arm won't keep him from Super Bowl

ByDavid Newton ESPN logo
Monday, January 25, 2016

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis said nothing will keep him from playing against the Denver Broncosin Super Bowl 50 --not even a broken arm.

Davis broke his right forearm while making a tackle late in the first half of the Panthers'49-15 victory over the Arizona Cardinalson Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.

Considered the heart and soul of the Panthers, the All-Pro linebacker did not return to the game. But the 2005 first-round pick said he will be on the field for the Feb. 7 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California.

"I ain't missing the Super Bowl," Davis said. "You better believe that. ... The early prognosis is it's broken. We'll get it figured out, and I'll be ready in two weeks."

A post on Instagram on Monday by Davis' wife, Kelly Davis, indicated that Davis was entering surgery.

Team officials have not confirmed the extent of Davis' injury.

Defensive tackle Kawann Short said if anyone can make it back, it would be Davis.

"I don't put it past Thomas," Short said. "Three ACLs. Broken fingers. It hasn't stopped him yet. You will have to take his jerseys away from him -- all five of them, even the ones at home too -- before he sits out this game."

Safety Roman Harper was poked in the eye in the first half, but he also promised to be ready for the Super Bowl.

"Because of my Lasik [surgery], the flap on my cornea shifted," Harper said. "It's just one of those crazy things. They said the odds of that happening are like a million to one. It happens, and I'll be back."

Fullback Mike Tolbert left with what was called a knee injury, but he said there were no issues.

The most concern was for Davis, who has been with the Panthers longer than any other player. He spent the second half of Sunday's game with his arm in a sling.

"I don't doubt any word he says," Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. "If he says he will be ready, I know he will be ready."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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