Matt Rhule addressed Sam Darnold’s status, and the Panthers’ QB situation for the week
Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule said Monday that quarterback Sam Darnold’s status for this week was unknown as he remains in concussion protocol.
Darnold visited with doctors Monday. Rhule said he’ll know more about his status as the week progresses.
“Sam will see the doctor today, so obviously, he’s in the concussion protocol,” Rhule said. “We’ll wait and see where he’s at before any next steps.”
Rhule said he saw Darnold walking around the facility early Monday, but won’t know more until later.
Darnold exited Carolina’s 19-13 win against Atlanta late in the fourth quarter when he took a hit from Atlanta linebacker Foyesade Oluokun on a designed quarterback rush. The run gained eight yards and set up an eventual Chuba Hubbard touchdown, but Darnold was forced off the field for evaluation.
Backup quarterback P.J. Walker finished the game and would start if Darnold is unable to go, Rhule said.
“Right now, if he was unable to play, P.J. would be the next guy up,” he said. “But I’m hopeful that Sam will play, and we’ll see how that plays out today and through the course of the week.”
Walker went 1-0 last season filling in for an injured Teddy Bridgewater in Week 11, a 20-0 Carolina victory. Walker threw for 258 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in that game.
Darnold’s injury came at the end of his best performance in weeks. Carolina still isn’t throwing the ball explosively, but Darnold made plays with his feet, rushing eight times for 66 yards. He ended his four-game turnover streak by taking care of the ball, as well.
“We are going to have to come to terms with that we are a defensive football team,” Rhule said. “When we play good defense and win the takeaway battle, we are going to win games. Part of that on offense is running the football.”
The Panthers had a career day rushing the ball under Rhule. Carolina totaled 203 yards on 47 tries. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady called nearly twice as many rushing attempts as he did throws.
Up front, Carolina’s offensive line set a tone and leaned into the Falcons front late in the fourth quarter. The Panthers scored their first touchdown late in the fourth quarter when it needed a score to go up two possessions. The 15-play drive included 10 runs as Brady alternated between Hubbard and running back Ameer Abdullah.
Though he isn’t showing it with his arm, Darnold gives Carolina its best chance to win. Walker nearly threw a goal-line interception on his first snap. Rhule said he was disappointed in the decision and let Walker know.
“Obviously really, really disappointed in that throw he made on the goal line,” he said. “That’s a ball you get out there, and you throw away.”
Rhule quickly endorsed Walker, speaking about his status in the locker room and performance last year in his lone start.
“I don’t think there’s a guy in the locker room that doesn’t believe in him. I think most of our guys see him in practice, saw him last year against Detroit, and know he can lead us.”
If Darnold’s situation remains cloudy on Wednesday, Walker will likely handle first-team practice reps. That’s important. It won’t change Carolina’s offense but perhaps Brady bakes in more designed runs for Walker then he would Darnold. Walker must protect himself. Sure, the Panthers newly branded themselves a running team but they cannot afford another quarterback injury.
Rhule didn’t speculate on what the Panthers would do if Darnold needs to miss an extended period of time. When asked if the team would consider bringing in a veteran to help in Darnold’s absence, Rhule said general manager Scott Fitterer is on top of every deal but didn’t definitively say another quarterback would be brought in.
“Scott (Fitterer) and his people are always doing a good job looking for all contingents,” he said. “For us we go through the process of seeing where Sam is at and going from there.”
The Panthers have a quarterback on their practice squad in James Morgan, a fourth-round pick by the Jets in 2020. Carolina signed him to their practice squad in September.
The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday.
This story was originally published November 1, 2021 at 12:14 PM.
