As far as their long-term health had gone, the Carolina Panthers were getting out of summer action relatively unscathed. But that pesky bug bit down quite a few times during the team’s preseason finale.
The first victim was defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who left with an oblique injury. The second and third victims, kicker Zane Gonzalez and tight/fullback Giovanni Ricci, both succumbed to groin injuries.
Quarterback Sam Darnold would then become the fourth, after his foot got caught up under Buffalo Bills defensive tackle C.J. Brewer. Darnold’s ankle quite clearly rolled under the 290-pound lineman, causing the fifth-year passer to stay down on the turf and await the cart.
Wouldn’t watch this if you get queasy easily … but this is why Sam Darnold was carted off. Watch his left ankle. pic.twitter.com/FWiud7vVmu
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 27, 2022
Cart is out for Darnold. Josh Allen comes over the wish him well, along with lots of Panthers players. pic.twitter.com/X2VnpzTcFy
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) August 27, 2022
This is just the latest unfortunate development for Darnold’s 2022 campaign. On Monday, the team announced Baker Mayfield as their starting quarterback—taking the job away from the 25-year-old.
Carolina already lost one of its backups in rookie Matt Corral, who was placed on the season-ending injured reserve just a few days ago with a Lisfranc injury. PJ Walker, who may now be the only piece of depth left behind Mayfield, came out in relief of Darnold.
