CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Strong safety Roman Harper said he wasn't hurt on the play that cost the Carolina Panthers a timeout with 47 seconds left in Sunday's 13-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Harper said he simply needed a few seconds to gather himself after Seahawks tight end Luke Willson caught the game-winning 23-yard touchdown pass between him and free safety Tre Boston.
"And a little bit I was pissy, too," Harper said. "It kind of happens. It's part of the game, and part of my emotions."
Harper said he wasn't even aware Carolina had been assessed the mandatory timeout when a player is injured in the final two minutes. He said none of the coaches said anything to him about it, either.
But he insisted he was not hurt, although he looked a little wobbly after sticking his head and shoulders into Willson's chest.
Harper also was not listed on Monday's injury report that included left tackle Byron Bell (knee), right guard Trai Turner (knee), wide receiver Philly Brown (concussion), linebacker Chase Blackburn (knee), safety Thomas DeCoud (hamstring), nickel corner Bene' Benwikere (ankle) and running back Fozzy Whittaker (quad).
Harper said he would have gotten up faster had he known he was costing Carolina a timeout.
