CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - Fresh off a thrilling, last-second victory in the Hall of Fame Game, the Carolina Panthers returned to the practice field Monday with a major update to their quarterback room.
The Panthers announced the signing of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Kyle Trask, a move prompted by a hamstring injury to rookie standout Haynes King.
King, making his NFL debut in Canton, Ohio, led the Panthers to victory by throwing for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He sealed the win himself, lunging across the goal line for a game-winning touchdown run as time expired. However, that final, gritty effort came at a cost.
“It was on that last play where he kind of lunged and dove for the goal line and really gave everything he had, literally,” head coach Dave Canales said. “Got his hamstring there, and we’ll just keep evaluating him on a weekly basis.”
With King sidelined week-to-week, the Panthers turned to a familiar face to fill the void. Trask spent the 2023 season with Canales and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik in Tampa Bay, making the transition to Carolina’s playbook relatively seamless.
“I love Kyle. We had a great year in 2023 in Tampa,” Canales said. “I would say 60 to 70% of the words that he heard today are familiar. He made some really nice throws today in some concepts he knew. There were a couple of other ones he needs to get a feel for, but I’m so glad to have Kyle here. We’re going to need him.”
Trask’s arrival adds depth, but fans may have to wait to see him in game action. Canales announced at Sundays practice that the team’s starters will see playing time in the upcoming preseason matchup.
For starting quarterback Bryce Young, who watched the Canton victory from the sidelines, the opportunity to get back on the field is a welcome one.
“I’m excited. Anytime you get to play football live in the stadium, it’s a privilege,” Young said. “It hurt me when we were out there for the Hall of Fame game and I couldn’t be on the field. Coming up in Buffalo, I’m really excited to be back.”
Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans shared Young’s excitement for the road trip.
“It hurt me when the Hall of Fame Game was that I couldn’t be out there. Coming up in Buffalo, I believe they just built a new stadium or something, so that’s going to be cool,” Evans said. “Playing there is going to be fun.”
The Panthers will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills next Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
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