Sam Darnold will miss 4 to 6 weeks after suffering a “significant” high-ankle sprain Friday night during the team’s preseason game against Buffalo.
Darnold is expected to seek a second opinion, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported.
It’s the second setback in a week for Darnold, who lost out the battle to start to fellow 2018 pick Baker Mayfield.
It’s also the second setback for the Panthers QB room, with Darnold’s injury occurring days after rookie Matt Corral was sidelined for the season with an ankle injury.
Veteran P.J. Walker may now start the season as the team’s backup.
For Darnold, it almost certainly means he’ll remain on the team too, at least until his injury has healed.
What’s less certain: the market for the once-promising prospect whose uneven play and steady turnovers have tarnished his chances to become an NFL starter since he was selected by the New York Jets.
The Jets traded Darnold and a conditional late-rounder for a second, fourth and sixth round pick last season.
The Jets used those picks to jump around the draft board the past two years and select Breece Hall, tackle Max Mitchell and hybrid linebacker Jason Pinnock.
