SAM DARNOLD NEWS

What Panthers coach Matt Rhule said about Sam Darnold's return, Cam Newton's 4th-and-1 Sam Darnold is eligible to return from injured reserve but must be cleared by a doctor first.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Cleared for contact Darnold (shoulder) has been cleared Monday to resume taking contact reps, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that he won't make a decision about a Week 16 starter until evaluating Darnold at practice, a hint that the signal-caller could be nearing a recovery from his right shoulder injury. Rhule also noted that he'd like to get Darnold more opportunities on the field this season, per David Newton of ESPN.com, perhaps lending credence to the idea that the 2018 first-round pick would reclaim the starting job were he to return to full health. For the time being Darnold remains on IR, but if the Panthers believe he's made enough progress to return to action he could be activated ahead of Week 16's matchup against Tampa Bay.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Colts Take Shot At Patriots' Mac Jones With Sam Darnold-Related Tweet New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones threw a pair of interceptions and the Indianapolis Colts issued a Sam Darnold-like tweet.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • NESN.COM

NFL odds: How to bet Panthers-Bills, point spread, more

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DECEMBER 16, 2021

Panthers QB Sam Darnold designated for return, but not yet cleared for contact Matt Rhule's second season in Charlotte began with the belief his staff could reclaim the career of Sam Darnold, but it hasn't gone accordin...

DECEMBER 16, 2021 • NFL.COM

Notebook: Sam Darnold not ready for contact yet The quarterback returned to the practice field Wednesday, but hasn't been cleared for full participation.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • PANTHERS.COM

Needs another week or two Darnold (shoulder) is likely still a week or two away from being ready for games, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Darnold returned to practice Wednesday after being designated to return from injured reserve, but head coach Matt Rhule said the quarterback "can't really practice yet" since he hasn't been cleared to take contact, according to Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site. That likely means Darnold isn't able to do much throwing either, which leaves the Panthers with Cam Newton and P.J. Walker as the options at quarterback for at least another week or two. Of course, there's no guarantee of Darnold returning to the starting role even if he regains his health before the end of the season.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers get QB Sam Darnold, two offensive linemen back to practice Despite getting QB Sam Darnold back to practice on Wednesday, Panthers HC Matt Rhule said he has “no idea” if the fourth-year passer will ev...

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Panthers' Darnold designated to return from IR, practices

The Carolina Panthers’ quarterback situation took another turn as Sam Darnold returned to practice after being designated to return from injured reserve

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cleared to practice The Panthers designated Darnold (shoulder) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Darnold is working his way back from a partial non-displaced fracture of his right scapula that resulted in him being placed on IR on Nov. 12. Though initial reports suggested that Darnold wouldn't play again in 2021 even though his injury wasn't considered season-ending, Carolina may be more inclined to add the 2018 first-round pick back on the roster at some point, given that neither Cam Newton nor P.J. Walker has performed at high level over the team's past four games. Carolina will have a 21-day window to evaluate Darnold in practice, and he'll be eligible for activation at any point during that stretch. As Darin Gantt of the team's official site notes, head coach Matt Rhule has already named Newton the starter for Sunday's game against Buffalo, but Walker is also expected to be involved in the game plan.

DECEMBER 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jets' Wilson making better decisions, but focus now on eyes

Zach Wilson bounced a few passes, sailed a few others over receivers’ heads and his eyes were all over the place

DECEMBER 14, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Huge draft day decision on horizon for Panthers: QB or OT?

The slumping Carolina Panthers appear destined to have a top 10 pick in next year’s NFL draft

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Late return still possible Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that it's a "possibility" Darnold (shoulder) returns down the stretch, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Impact Rhule did also note that Darnold is still a few weeks away from recovering, per David Newton of ESPN.com, so it appears that his earliest possible chance to come off IR might be Week 16. Cam Newton has proven mistake-prone and struggled to move Carolina's offense through the air since his reunion with the team, and David Newton reports that he and P.J. Walker may split reps under center going forward. As a result, Rhule still has real motivation to explore other possibilities at quarterback.

DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Analysis: 7 teams who have let fans down bigtime in 2021

The Seahawks and Steelers were heading toward the playoffs a year ago

DECEMBER 10, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Offensive coordinator Brady relieved of duties by Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have relieved offensive coordinator Joe Brady of his duties

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bills CB Dane Jackson draws on memories of 4 late friends

Bills cornerback Dane Jackson draws on memories of four late childhood friends in preparing to take over Tre'Davious White's starting job in the Buffalo's secondary

DECEMBER 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

QB Newton experiencing trials of playing behind shaky O-line

Cam Newton is beginning to experience what life is like playing behind Carolina’s porous offensive line

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Evaluation coming after bye Coach Matt Rhule said Monday that Darnold (shoulder) has resumed throwing "some" and will be further evaluated after the Panthers' Week 13 bye, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It was previously reported that the Panthers intend to proceed as if Darnold wouldn't be available again this season, even though the recovery timetable for the partial non-displaced fracture of his right scapula could allow him to return around Week 16. That was before replacement Cam Newton's disastrous performance and subsequent benching during Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, however. With a 5-7-0 record and four divisional matchups remaining, Carolina is still in contention for a playoff berth, so Rhule will explore every option at quarterback. Of course, there's no guarantee Darnold recovers in time to feasibly retake the field during the regular season, so his progression will need to be monitored after the team's bye.

NOVEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE