CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers backup quarterback Sam Darnold, who lost the starting job to Baker Mayfield earlier in the week, departed Friday's preseason finale against Buffalo on a golf cart after suffering a left ankle injury late in the third quarter.
He did not return to the game. It was the second time in a week the Panthers lost a quarterback in a preseason game. Third-round pick Matt Corral suffered a season-ending Lisfranc tear in last Friday's preseason loss at New England.
If Darnold's injury is serious, the Panthers would be down to two quarterbacks — Mayfield and former XFL star PJ Walker — heading into the Sept.
11 opener against the Cleveland Browns. The Panthers planned to keep three quarterbacks earlier in camp, with Corral expected to be the third behind Mayfield and Darnold.