Panthers' Sam Darnold: Cleared from concussion, still iffy
Darnold cleared the NFL's concussion protocol Saturday but remains listed as questionable and is viewed as a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Patriots while he tends to a right shoulder sprain, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Though the concussion seemed to the greater obstacle for Darnold to overcome heading into Week 9 action, the right shoulder injury he suffered in the fourth quarter of last week's win over the Falcons is apparently still bothering him. Fortunately for those considering Darnold in Week 9 lineups, the Panthers kick off among the early wave of games at 1 p.m. ET, so clarity on his status one way or the other should arrive when Carolina releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to kickoff. If Darnold is unable to go, P.J. Walker would pick up his first start at quarterback since Week 11 of the 2020 season.
