Panthers QB Darnold will be out for several weeks with fractured scapula

Sam Darnold has a partial fracture of his scapula and is expected to miss at least a few weeks, leaving the Carolina Panthers in need of a new starting quarterback. 

NFL Network first reported the injury Tuesday, and The Athletic said the team believes Darnold was hurt during the second quarter of Sunday's 24-6 home loss to the New England Patriots. 

Darnold threw three interceptions in the game, though two of them occurred in the second half – potentially after he already was injured. 

Darnold will have MRI

That showing continued a run of poor performances by Darnold in his first season with the team that have prompted questions about whether the 24-year-old would remain the starter. 

To that point, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters Monday that his first priority was determining whether Darnold was healthy, as the quarterback was set to have an MRI after complaining of soreness in his shoulder following the game. 

Now the Panthers have their answer, and Darnold's backup P.J. Walker should get the start Sunday at the Arizona Cardinals. 

Darnold has started all nine games this season for the Panthers (4-5) after arriving in an off-season trade from the New York Jets. 

He has completed 59.5 per cent of his passes for 1,986 yards with seven touchdowns and 11 interceptions, which is tied with Cincinnati's Joe Burrow for the most in the league. 

Darnold's 71.3 quarterback rating is third-worst among NFL starters, with only rookies Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears (69.4) and Zach Wilson of the Jets (63.5) below him. 

Multiple outlets reported earlier Tuesday that Carolina plans to sign veteran quarterback Matt Barkley off the Tennessee Titans' practice squad. 

The 31-year-old served as the backup for the Buffalo Bills the last three seasons, appearing in eight games over that span.