The Carolina Panthers have placed quarterback Sam Darnold on the Injured Reserve List due to a shoulder injury and subsequently communicated a downtime of four to six weeks. Now, media reports are surfacing that the playmaker is facing a season-ending absence – and that backup Cam Newton is in line for another season in Charlotte.

Munich/Charlotte – The Carolina Panthers have placed quarterback Sam Darnold on the Injured Reserve List ahead of the game against the Arizona Cardinals, with a shoulder injury keeping the 24-year-old out of action.

The communicated downtime is four to six weeks, so the playmaker should still be able to make his comeback this season. “ESPN” is now reporting, however, that the franchise would expect Darnold to miss the rest of the season.

The Panthers “know Sam will be out for the rest of the season,” an unnamed source is quoted as saying. Furthermore, Darnold’s absence is also said to present an opportunity for Cam Newton at the same time.

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If the returnee, who signed a contract through the end of the season in Charlotte a few days ago, does well as a backup, he is said to be the favourite for the starter’s position next season.

For the game against the Arizona Cardinals, Newton will not yet lead the Carolina offence onto the field, that role will fall to P.J. Walker. Newton is then expected to take over in Week 11 against the Washington Football Team and will have the first opportunity to convince those in charge to keep him next season.