Trai Turner reflects on "challenging" season

CHARLOTTE – From a team perspective, the Panthers' season obviously didn't end the way Trai Turner hoped it would.

But from a personal perspective, Turner was relieved with the way things played out.

The team's starting right guard spent the final three games of the regular season in the concussion protocol. He was cleared on the eve of Carolina's wild card game in his native New Orleans and played every offensive snap in the Saints' 31-26 victory.

"I wanted to win of course, but I was able to finish on the field and walk off. I think that's big for me and big for the mental aspect of things," Turner said. "There definitely was some soul searching for me in the midst of dealing with something…