Panthers' Sam Darnold: Should get snaps off bench
Carolina head coach Matt Rhule said Darnold (shoulder) will get playing time Sunday against Tampa Bay, even though Cam Newton will retain the starting job and receive the bulk of the snaps, Schuyler Callihan of SI.com reports.
Darnold remains on injured reserve, but he looks like he'll be activated this week after he returned to practice Monday and was then cleared for contact following an MRI and CT scan Tuesday. The 24-year-old quarterback could be set up to reclaim the starting job Week 17 or 18, though he won't exactly be positioned for success as the Panthers close out their season with two games against the Bucs and one against the Saints. It's been a struggle for the Carolina offense since September, regardless of whether Newton, Darnold or P.J. Walker has taken the snaps.
