Carolina Panthers Place Rookie Quarterback on Injured Reserve

The path ahead is a little clearer for the Carolina Panthers at the quarterback position. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the team placed rookie passer Matt Corral on season-ending injured reserve:

Panthers placed rookie QB Matt Corral on season-ending injured reserve.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2022

Drafted 94th overall earlier this year, Corral was the longshot behind Sam Darnold and eventual starter Baker Mayfield in the Panthers offseason quarterback competition. Citing a foot injury, the Panthers will open a roster spot while theoretically leaving Darnold to back up the oft-injured Mayfield.

Corral comes to the Panthers after appearing in 37 games for Ole Miss, where he passed for 8287 yards and 57 touchdowns in the ultra-competitive SEC. Funnily enough, he drew Mayfield comparisons in the pre-draft process, but any chance he had at a starting opportunity largely vanished when the Panthers acquired the real thing earlier this summer.

Corral will now be tasked with learning by watching from the sidelines. Given the Panthers scored the 29th most points in the league last year and are adding a quarterback who took 43 sacks behind one of the league's best offensive lines, he may have to be satisfied learning what not to do.