QB Darnold out with a fractured shoulder
Sam Darnold will miss at least four weeks with a right shoulder injury, meaning P.J. Walker will take over at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.
Darnold, who is 4-5 as Carolina’s starter, suffered an incomplete fracture of the shoulder blade and will go on injured reserve, coach Matt Rhule announced Wednesday.
Walker will start for the Panthers on Sunday against the NFC-leading Arizona Cardinals. The former XFL quarterback is 1-0 as an NFL starter but has completed just 49.3% of his passes with one touchdown and five interceptions during his two seasons in the league. Matt Barkley, who was signed off the Titans’ practice squad Tuesday, will serve as Walker’s backup.
Walker said his job will be to “bring some juice” to an offense that has struggled recently.
BROWNS GUARD BITONIO GETS PAID >> The Cleveland Browns made another huge investment into their offensive line, signing three-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio to a three-year, $48 million contract extension.
Bitonio’s deal, which runs through the 2025 season, follows the one given by Cleveland to right guard Wyatt Teller, who signed a four-year, $56.8 million extension Tuesday.
The 30-year-old Bitonio was under contract through 2022 — he signed a six-year, $51 million deal in 2017 — but the Browns wanted to secure one of their leaders and best players and have him finish his career with Cleveland.
OBJ ON WAY TO K.C.? >> Odell Beckham Jr. became a free agent Tuesday after the wide receiver’s acrimonious split with the Browns, and Kansas City among the destinations he’s rumored to be considering.
Beckham reportedly wants to spend the rest of the season with a contender, and the Chiefs have been to three straight conference title games and are trending up in the AFC West after a lousy start. Yet their offense has continued to struggle to live up to the lofty standards, and Beckham could provide the jolt that it needs.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL >> The Baltimore Ravens do nothing easily.
Yes, they have the AFC’s best record among teams that have had their bye (62; Tennessee is 7-2). Their excitement quotient is off the charts, and their special teams are, well, very special.
Yet they specialize in providing angst for their fans and, probably, for coach John Harbaugh.
“I don’t think we’re ever really out of a game, but you hate to be in those situations,” receiver Marquise Brown said. “You kind of want to start fast so you don’t have to do that. But if you’re in that situation in the game, I’m confident that we can get it done.”
They will need to get it done again tonight against struggling Miami (2-7), which just ended a sevengame slide by beating equally woeful Houston. The Dolphins are uncertain at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa having issues with a finger on his left, throwing hand, that sidelined him against the Texans.
Baltimore, at No. 6 in the AP Pro32 rankings, is a 7 ½-point favorite at No. 30
Miami, according to FanDuel SportsBook.
Like we said, the Ravens tend to make it difficult. SHORT ROUTES >> The Vikings have been operating this week under the NFL’s intensive virus protocols, as five players remained on the COVID-19 reserve list — and one had to be hospitalized with a breathing trouble. Coach Mike Zimmer declined to identify the player, whom he said was admitted to the emergency room Tuesday with pneumonia-like symptoms before his condition improved. According to a source, the hospitalized player is backup guard Dakota Dozier.
• Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari has been activated from the physically unable to perform list as the 2020 All-Pro selection moves closer to making his season debut. Green Bay needed to activate Bakhtiari by Wednesday for him to play this season. Bakhtiari hasn’t played since tearing his left ACL on Dec. 31.
• The Cowboys are adding kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, who is in line to make his NFL debut if Greg Zuerlein doesn’t clear COVID-19 protocols before Sunday’s game against Atlanta. Hajrullahu kicked for Winnipeg, Toronto and Hamilton in the CFL from 2014-19, making 83% of his field-goal attempts.
• Former Steelers wide receiver Louis Lipps will not participate in the team’s Hall of Honor ceremony this weekend following his arrest on DUI charges.