The Panthers announced Wednesday that quarterback Sam Darnold has been designated to return from the injured reserve list. Darnold was placed on IR after sustaining a shoulder injury during the Carolina’s week-nine loss to the New England Patriots. While 14 was seen in a limited capacity at Panthers’ practice, he’s still a ways from returning to the field.
“He can’t really practice, practice yet,” Rhule said during his Wednesday press conference. “He’s throwing. He’s cleared, but he’s not cleared to play. I’m not sure when that will be. He’ll have to make sure that he’s good enough to throw and move around, but he can’t take contact. That will come down to a CT scan in the coming weeks.”
When asked under what scenario he’d see Darnold back at quarterback, Rhule said he has no idea.
“I have no idea. I don’t even know if he’ll be back. We’ve just got to wait and see if the doctors clear him. To me it’s really good for Sam to start to get out there and practice with his teammates and do some drills, but it’s so far down the line in terms of getting cleared that so much will happen between now and then.”
The Panthers have 21 days to add Darnold to the active roster, or he’ll remain out for the remainder of the season.
Carolina travels to Buffalo to take on the Bill this Sunday.