The Carolina Panthers knocked off the Arizona Cardinals in an exciting start to the preseason last Thursday.
The Panthers walked away with a last-second win, and undrafted quarterback Haynes King was a big reason why. The rookie completed 21 of his 34 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. King also rushed for the game-winning score and showed off his impressive legs.
There's no denying that King was one of the big winners from that game. The quarterback is battling for a roster spot, and he couldn't have asked for a better start. Unfortunately, we've now learned that King didn't get out of that game unscathed.
Haynes King Week-to-Week with Hamstring Injury
The Athletic's Joe Person revealed on Saturday that King suffered a hamstring injury in the Hall of Fame Game and is considered week-to-week.
This is a disappointing development, as King's legs are such a big reason why he's an interesting player. If King was indeed injured in the game, then it becomes even more impressive that he was able to do what he did.
Considering King is week-to-week and not day-to-day, it seems likely the rookie will have to miss the next preseason game. That's disappointing, because with another performance like his first one, King could secure his place on the final roster.
It's always worth noting that the Panthers only have two healthy quarterbacks on the roster without King. The team recently brought in veteran Kyle Trask for a workout, so it'll be interesting to see if they circle back and sign the quarterback for some depth.
King's Chances to Make Roster
Historically, Dave Canales has preferred to keep just two quarterbacks on the final roster. Kenny Pickett was brought in to be the backup, so if the trend holds up, King would be ticketed for the practice squad.
However, nothing is set in stone, and some good performances can change thinking. After what King showed in the preseason opener, it would be hard not to keep him around. There are plenty of quarterback-needy teams who would likely take a chance on King, making it far from guaranteed that he would even make it to the practice squad.
It certainly won't help King's chances if he has to miss an extended period of time. Every rep is valuable this time of year, especially when you're stuck on the bubble. Hopefully, King can come back for the final two preseason games and show some more impressive play.
