UNDATED (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule says quarterback Sam Darnold will miss at least four weeks with a right shoulder injury.
Darnold, who is 4-5 as the team’s starter, suffered an incomplete fracture of the shoulder blade and will go on injured reserve. Rhule said P.J. Walker will start for the Panthers on Sunday against the NFC-leading Arizona Cardinals.
The Panthers have signed quarterback Matt Barkley off the Tennessee Titans practice squad and he’s expected to serve as Carolina’s No. 2 quarterback on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the NFL:
— Mike White will start at quarterback for the New York Jets on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Coach Robert Saleh announced the decision Wednesday and said rookie starter Zach Wilson is still recovering from a sprained knee ligament and won’t be ready to play this weekend. Saleh adds that the long-term decision at quarterback will be made day to day.
— Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. has returned to practice. His return opens the possibility he might come off injured reserve and play Sunday at Dallas. Fowler was placed on injured reserve on Oct. 22 with a knee injury.
— The Dallas Cowboys are adding kicker Lirim Hajrullahu. The former CFL player is in line to make his NFL debut if Greg Zuerlein doesn’t clear COVID-19 protocols before Sunday’s game against Atlanta. The 31-year-old native of Europe was with the Cowboys late in training camp.
— The Minnesota Vikings have been operating this week under the NFL’s intensive virus protocols. Five players remain on the COVID-19 reserve list. One had to be hospitalized with breathing trouble. He was stable after initially being admitted to the emergency room. Coach Mike Zimmer declined to identify the player. A person with knowledge of the situation says the player is backup guard Dakota Dozier.
— Browns coach Kevin Stefanski would not disclose whether star running back Nick Chubb is experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, leaving his status for Sunday’s game against New England uncertain. Chubb tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday along with rookie running back/wide receiver Demetric Felton. Both were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will need to be symptom free and have two negative tests 24 hours apart to be eligible to face the Patriots. The Browns are dealing with a minor virus outbreak. On Wednesday, they had their fifth positive test in three days.
— The Browns have 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. The 30-year-old was under contract through 2022, but the Browns wanted to secure one of their leaders and best players and have him finish his career with Cleveland. His deal, which runs through the 2025 season, comes a day after right guard Wyatt Teller signed a four-year, $56.8 million extension.
— Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson returned to practice after coming off injured reserve, but with no guarantee he’ll play against Green Bay on Sunday. Coach Pete Carroll says he remains hopeful Carson will be able to play as he recovers from a neck issue.
— The Green Bay Packers have activated offensive tackle David Bakhtiari from the physically unable to perform list. The Packers needed to activate Bakhtiari by Wednesday for him to play this season. Bakhtiari hasn’t played since tearing his left ACL on Dec. 31. He is eligible to play as soon as Sunday when the Packers host the Seattle Seahawks.
— Cincinnati Bengals executive Katie Blackburn has become the first woman appointed to the NFL’s powerful competition committee, which plays a major role in rules changes. Blackburn, the executive vice president of the Bengals, is the franchise’s fourth member of the committee. Team founder Paul Brown, his son and current owner Mike Brown, and former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also have served in that group.
— Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook maintains he was the victim in a fight last year with a former girlfriend suing him for personal injury. The NFL says the civil lawsuit will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy. Cook will continue to practice and play with the team. Cook’s attorney, David Valentini, says his client had the right to defend himself.
