Carolina Panthers place QB Sam Darnold on injured reserve

The Carolina Panthers have announced that they placed backup quarterback Sam Darnold on injured reserve. He suffered a high ankle sprain during the Panthers’ preseason game against Buffalo. This would have kept Darnold out for at least a month. Now that he’s on IR, it has been confirmed that he’s out for at least a month.

The move opens up a spot on Carolina’s 53-man roster. To replace Sam Darnold, the team added kicker Eddy Pineiro.

Without Sam Darnold on the active roster, Carolina is down to just two quarterbacks on its roster. Baker Mayfield, who is set to be the starter, and PJ Walker, who is going to be the backup while Darnold is on the mend.

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Previously, Carolina put rookie Matt Corral on season-ending injured reserve following a Lisfranc injury that he suffered in a different preseason game. Corral played his college football at Ole Miss, where he led the Rebels to the Sugar Bowl, before suffering an injury early in that game.

Sam Darnold came to Carolina from the New York Jets. There, he had been a first-round NFL draft pick who struggled to live up to expectations. He joined the Panthers ahead of the 2021 season, where he hoped to revitalize his career. In 12 games played, Darnold struggled. He threw only 9 touchdowns to 13 interceptions.

Sam Darnold should return this season and reclaim his place as the Panthers’ primary backup. However, what the future looks like for his career is unknown.