It has not been a stellar 24 hours for Carolina Panthers starting quarterback Sam Darnold.
After throwing three interceptions in Carolina’s loss to the New England Patriots, Darnold got dressed down by wide receiver Robby Anderson on the sideline, will need an MRI on his ailing throwing shoulder and did not get a vote of confidence from his head coach.
In announcing the upcoming MRI for Darnold, Matt Rhule said Monday that he doesn’t think Darnold’s injury led to the picks.
“When I look at the tape I see two bad decisions on turnovers,” Rhule told reporters.
Rhule demurred when asked if Darnold was the right QB for the team.
“Right now we’re focused on him and his health,” said Rhule, who said Sunday he wanted to watch tape before making “some big statement” about the future of Darnold vs. Carolina’s primary backup, P.J. Walker.
“We can’t have the quarterback throwing the ball up in the air. He knows that. I know that. … We just can’t keep doing this,” Rhule said Sunday. “But I need to see everything before I can probably answer that better.”
Anderson gave Darnold an earful on the sideline Sunday after throwing his third pick of the game in a 24-6 loss. Darnold also has 10 interceptions in the last six games.
“The same way if I’m slacking, I need somebody to tell me that,” Anderson said. “We hold each other accountable. That’s part of it, part of somebody being your brother, telling them what they don’t want to hear sometimes.”
Darnold finished 16-of-33 passing for 172 yards and no touchdowns against the Patriots. The shoulder injury occurred in the team’s Week 8 win over Atlanta. Darnold took a big hit on a running play in the red zone and came away with a concussion and a banged-up right shoulder.
–Field Level Media