Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold will be out four to six weeks after sustaining a high-ankle sprain in Friday’s preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Darnold’s MRI revealed a “severe” injury that will take time to recover, according to head coach Matt Rhule.
The sprain was sustained by the second-year Panther in the second half of Friday night’s game, just four days after losing the quarterback duel to fellow 2018 first-round pick Baker Mayfield.
He had completed 5 of 11 throws for 49 yards before he departed the field.
Darnold’s injury complicates any departure strategy the organization may have had for him after designating Mayfield the starter, but it also adds another issue to deal with in a quarterback room that has been decimated in recent weeks.
Carolina enters training camp with a duel between Mayfield and Darnold, as well as the option of redshirting 2022 third-round pick, Matt Corral.
It leaves camp with Corral out for the season due to a Lisfranc injury and Darnold out for at least the first part of the regular season.
P.J. Walker, who is in his third season with the Panthers and started one game each in 2020 and 2021, was the odd man out in the quarterback room at first.
He is now expected to make the team as Mayfield’s backup.
“Normally, we’d start the season with two. Sam, I believe he will return; it’s only a matter of how many weeks. We’ll look at every option like we do with every position; (general manager) Scott (Fitterer) does an excellent job of that. We’ve spent a lot of time preparing these guys in this offense, and we’ll just keep building on what we’ve done.”
Despite the reduced depth, the Panthers should have more trust in their new No. 1 after their game against the Bills. Mayfield was impressive in his short action on Friday, going 9-of-15 for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
The Panthers will have a fair notion of how Mayfield’s August success translated to the regular season by the time Darnold recovers from his ankle injury.