It’s not the choice you really want to make in the NFL, but Carolina Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks has a few options to go with under center. And now, he’s got one more.
As announced by the team on Monday morning, quarterback Sam Darnold has been activated to the 53-man roster. He now, with Carolina carrying just 52 players prior to the decision, moves into the final spot on the program.
The fifth-year passer entered the 2022 slate on injured reserve after sustaining a high-ankle sprain in the preseason finale against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 26. He was designated to return from IR back on Oct. 19.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Darnold “should play some down the stretch” as part of the “evaluation process” for next season. So, with he and Baker Mayfield set to hit free agency this spring, it seems as though the 2-7 Panthers are willing to give the two 2018 draftees a few more looks to close out what’s been a tumultuous campaign.
