Carolina Panthers Place Quarterback on Injured Reserve

The Carolina Panthers are all-in on quarterback Baker Mayfield in the early portion of the season. ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed that backup quarterback Sam Darnold has been placed on injured reserve:

Panthers placed QB Sam Darnold on injured reserve to clear a roster spot for kicker Eddy Piñeiro.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2022

The move guarantees Darnold will miss the first four games of the season. The former second overall draft pick of the New York Jets suffered a high ankle sprain during the team's preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills.

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Darnold started 11 games for the Panthers last season, even leading them to an exciting three straight wins to open the season, including a dominant effort over the division rival New Orleans Saints. But the wheels quickly came off, and the Panthers finished the season 5-12 and 29th in points scored, spurring calls for change at the quarterback position.

In came Baker Mayfield. The Panthers traded for the former Cleveland Browns first overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft (one before Darnold), and a quarterback competition ensued. Now with both Darnold and rookie Matt Corral both out, Mayfield will enter the season with only P.J. Walker behind him.

The Carolina Panthers host the Cleveland Browns in their opening game of the regular season. By all accounts, Mayfield should be ready to go. Maybe too ready.