Panthers QB Sam Darnold believed to have sustained high-ankle sprain

A tough week only got tougher for Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold on Friday night. So, hopefully, Saturday morning doesn’t bring any more bad news for the newly anointed backup.

That’s when Darnold is set to undergo an MRI on his left ankle, which he injured in last night’s preseason finale. The fifth-year passer was carted off in the third quarter of the 21-0 victory after Buffalo Bills defensive tackle C.J. Brewer rolled over his foot.

The early prognosis for Darnold, according to ESPN’s David Newton, is a high-ankle sprain. If that is indeed the case for the 25-year-old, such an injury would typically take four to six weeks to heal.

Darnold missed five games last year, in his first season with the Panthers, upon fracturing his right shoulder blade in a 24-6 loss to the New England Patriots. That caused the team to go out and sign Cam Newton—a prospect that was once again mentioned to head coach Matt Rhule following the Friday’s exhibition outing.

This time, however, the Panthers seem firmly set on allowing Baker Mayfield to be their guy under center. Mayfield impressed in his second serving of preseason work, completing nine of his 15 throws for 89 yards and two touchdowns on the Bills’ second-team defense.

Now, it’s just a matter of who will be backing Mayfield up—something Darnold may not be able to do in kicking off this all-important 2022 campaign.