Even if the Carolina Panthers didn’t want to bench starting quarterback Sam Darnold amid his poor performances in recent weeks, they will now have to do it. According to the team’s head coach Matt Rhule, Darnold is dealing with a shoulder injury that will sideline him between four and six weeks.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Rhule described the injury as an “incomplete fracture” and confirmed Darnold got hurt during Sunday’s 6-24 loss against the New England Patriots.
“I think [Darnold] knows that this is in his best interest to take care of this right now,” Rhule said via Pro Football Talk. “Obviously, he’d love to play, but player’s health comes first.”
In Darnold’s absence, his backup P.J. Walker will step as a starter under center. Walker played in three games this season, with most of his snaps coming in Week 7 when Darnold was benched late in a 3-25 loss to the New York Giants. He has only completed three out of 15 passes attempted while throwing for 33 yards.
The Panthers also made additions to their QB room, signing veteran Matt Barkley off the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad. Barkley’s last action came in 2020 when he played as a relief in five games for the Bills and threw for 197 yards and a touchdown.
Sam Darnold, who joined Carolina in a trade from the New York Jets in the offseason, had an impressive start to the 2021 campaign. He led the Panthers to three straight wins while throwing for 888 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Since then, however, Darnold struggled and has been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the league. He had just one 300+ yards outing in six following games while managing only four passing TDs and throwing league-leading 10 picks. The Panthers have been 1-5 in that period.
