Carolina Panthers release Thursday injury report for Week 9
The Carolina Panthers barely edged out a win over the Atlanta Falcons last week, a 19-13 win that transpired without quarterback Sam Darnold down the stretch of the game.
Darnold suffered a scary injury from a hit late in last week’s game, which prompted him to exit early and be relived by P.J. Walker, and the latest from the Panthers said that Darnold suffered both a concussion and a shoulder injury in the game.
This week, the Panthers will face much stiffer competition in the New England Patriots, and they’ll look to bring back their star power ahead of the matchup — including Darnold, if possible. Furthermore, the Week 9 tilt could feature the return of Christian McCaffrey, the Panthers star running back who in Week 3 suffered a hamstring injury against the Houston Texans that saw him placed on the injured reserve.
As the Panthers prepare to face the Patriots, here’s a look at the latest injury report, provided after Thursday’s practice.
Carolina Panthers Thursday injury report
Did not practice, Carolina Panthers — CB Stanley Thomas-Oliver (toe)
Did not practice, New England Patriots — DB J.C. Jackson (illness)
Limited participant, Carolina Panthers — QB Sam Darnold (concussion/right shoulder)
Limited participant, New England Patriots — DT Christian Bartmore (foot), LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (ribs), DL Carl Davis (hand), DB Cody Davis (hand), DB Kyle Dugger (neck), K Nick Folk (left knee), LB Dont’a Hightower (ankle), OL Shaq Mason (abdomen), TE Jonnu Smith (shoulder), LB Josh Uche (shoulder), LB Kyle Van Noy (groin)
Full participant, Carolina Panthers — RB C.J. Henderson (shoulder), LB Shaq Thompson (foot), OT Cameron Erving (knee), C Matt Paradis (knee), CB Stephon Gilmore (quad), LB Jermaine Carter Jr. (ankle)
Full participant, New England Patriots — N/a
Darnold’s status in limbo
The Carolina Panthers could very well be without their starting quarterback on Saturday against the New England Patriots, as Sam Darnold is still fighting to recover from a scary injury.
The Panthers updated their injury report following Wednesday’s practice, and Darnold was again listed as a limited participant; the official diagnosis from the hit was a concussion. However, the concussion is not Darnold’s only ailment — the Panthers quarterback, according to the injury report, is also working back from a right shoulder injury. If Darnold were to quarterback in Sunday’s contest, the USC product would have to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol, which as of now, the Panthers have not commented on.
Darnold took a jarring hit in last weekend’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, which sidelined him for the rest of the contest. P.J. Walker took over in relief of Darnold.
Darnold finished the game having completed 13 of his 24 passes for 129 passing yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He also took eight carries for 66 rushing yards, including a 20-yard scramble. Walker, who only quarterbacked two and a half drives, did not complete his only pass attempt, as the Panthers were largely in clock-chewing mode.