Panthers lose rookie QB Matt Corral to likely season-ending foot injury; Matt Rhule still not naming a starter
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Matt Corral left Friday's preseason game in a walking boot after injuring his foot against the New England Patriots.
On Saturday, head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that MRI imaging revealed a Lisfranc ligament injury in Corral's left foot that he called "significant" amid reports that it's likely season-ending.
Here is Matt Rhule on Matt Corral injury: pic.twitter.com/uCLLNdh8UM
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedAP) August 20, 2022
"I hate it for him," Rhule said. "I hate it any time one of our guys is hurt. And I thought he was playing well too. ...
"I know Matt's a battler, so this year of development, he's going to have to grind, both taking care of his foot and all the things he needs to do as a quarterback. Hopefully some day, he'll look back and say it was a blessing, but I hate it for him right now."
Corral, a third-round pick out of Mississippi, wasn't expected to compete for the starting job as Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold have taken turns with the first-team offense in training camp. But the injury likely rules out any chance of Corral seeing an NFL field in 2022 while hindering his first season of NFL development.
Mayfield's expected to win the job, but Rhule's thus far declined to name a starting quarterback. Rhule declined to address the position on Saturday after previously describing Friday's game against the Patriots as a "litmus test" for making a decision.
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Neither Mayfield nor Darnold played against the Patriots.
“Not yet,” Rhule said on Saturday about naming a starter. “You know, not prepared for anything right now other than watching this tape. Like I said all along, when we know we know, and we’ll announce something when it’s right.”
In addition to Mayfield and Darnold, the Panthers also have-third year quarterback P.J. Walker on the depth chart. Walker played in five games for Carolina last season, including a Week 10 start in a win against the Arizona Cardinals. Carolina opens its season on Sept. 11 against the Cleveland Browns.
