Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold is expected to miss at least four weeks with a significant high ankle sprain, coach Matt Rhule confirmed to the media on Monday.
Rhule added that Darnold is likely to be placed on short-term injured reserve with a designation to return in four weeks. In the meantime, the Panthers are likely to have P.J. Walker back up Baker Mayfield while Darnold is recovering.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first to report that Darnold was expected to miss four-to-six weeks with a severe high-ankle sprain.
The diagnosis comes after Darnold underwent an MRI on Saturday to confirm the injury that he suffered in Friday night’s preseason finale against the Bills.