Carolina Panthers update the status of injured QB Sam Darnold

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold is returning from the injured reserve on Wednesday, according to the team. Darnold is going to practice for the first time since Week 10.

Despite getting back into playing condition after his shoulder injury, Sam Darnold will not play this weekend. Matt Rhule shared that the plan is to continue forward with Cam Newton as the starter and P.J. Walker in relief.

The 5-8 Panthers take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in the noon window. Given that it’s a road game, it’s unclear whether Sam Darnold will travel with the team.

Also coming off IR heading into Week 15 games is Stanley Thomas-Oliver III. The cornerback suffered a foot injury in Week 11.

Both Panthers players have a 21-day window to return to the active roster.

Sam Darnold has 1,986 passing yards this year with a 59.5% completion rating. He’s also thrown 11 picks to seven touchdowns. Darnold’s added almost 200 yards rushing and five scores on the ground as well. Cam Newton is 58.7% in his four games played with six scores and three interceptions.

More Panthers test positive for COVID-19

The list of positive COVID-19 cases in the NFL keeps growing. Add Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey to the list.

McCaffrey, who’s on injured reserve and out for the year with an ankle injury, tested positive Tuesday, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He’s at least the third big name to test positive Tuesday, following Los Angeles Rams star Odell Beckham Jr. and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry.

McCaffrey played in seven games this year before hitting injured reserve. In those games, he had 442 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also had 343 receiving yards and a touchdown in the air.

Carolina is 5-8 this year and is coming off a 29-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week. The Panthers will try to right the ship this week against Buffalo Bills Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

On Monday, the league reported 37 positive tests, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.