Carolina Panthers sign a quarterback in wake of Sam Darnold injury
The Carolina Panthers needed to add a quarterback to the roster with starter Sam Darnold currently in the concussion protocol. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Panthers have signed Josh Love to the practice squad.
Love has yet to attempt a pass at the NFL level. He has spent time with the Los Angeles Rams after a five-year career at San Jose State. There, Love attempted exactly 1,000 passes, completing 578. He threw for 7,206 yards, 43 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions while in college. Most of that production came in 2019 as a redshirt senior. Love threw for 3,923 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his final collegiate season.
The Panthers only have two quarterbacks on the active roster in Darnold and backup P.J. Walker.
The Panthers are looking for more from the quarterback position
Darnold got off to a strong start to the season, completing at least 67.7 percent of his passes in each of the Panthers’ first three games, all of which were wins. In those three weeks, Darnold threw for 888 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also ran for five touchdowns in the first four weeks.
In the previous four games, Darnold has struggled at quarterback for the Panthers. He has thrown for 200 yards just once over the last four games, and he has not thrown for 130 yards in two weeks. Darnold also has failed to throw a touchdown pass over the last two weeks and has just four total in the last four weeks.
Darnold took a big hit on Sunday against the Falcons, knocking him out of the game. He rushed for eight yards but was crushed at the end of the play. Darnold’s head made hard contact with the turf and he was promptly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Walker would be next in line at quarterback for the Panthers if Darnold is forced out of action.
Walker, who played his college football at Temple, appeared in four games at quarterback for the Panthers last season. In those games, he completed 32 of his 56 pass attempts for 368 yards, one touchdown, and five interceptions.