Despite a recent hamstring injury, the undrafted Carolina Panthers rookie could secure a roster spot as a versatile offensive weapon following an explosive performance and glowing praise from insiders.
Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Haynes King suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury during the team's 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
The Panthers signed Kyle Trask as a backup option while King recovers from the injury. Head coach Dave Canales doesn't think King will be available for Saturday night's preseason game at the Buffalo Bills as he recovers.
The injury threatens King's momentum after an impressive NFL debut. He went 21-of-34 passing for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He added 39 rushing yards on three carries, and a game-winning five-yard touchdown run.
While a preseason injury might hurt the majority of undrafted rookie quarterbacks, ESPN's Adam Schefter made a bold prediction on King's future with the Panthers.
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Monday, Schefter suggested King had already solidified a spot on the 53-man roster despite the rest of his preseason being uncertain.
Schefter also believes King will receive snaps in the regular season, as the Panthers could feature him in a joker role like the New Orleans Saints did with Taysom Hill.
"Haynes King is somebody that I think is going to have a role there in Carolina this season," Schefter said. "He's going to make the team, and it wouldn't shock me if they wound up using him like in a Taysom Hill role there in that same division."
Following the win over the Cardinals, Canales suggested King is growing into a player that can help the Panthers move the chains.
"I was spoiled to have Russell Wilson early on in his career, and when you covered us well, he took off and ran. And that was a good thing," Canales said, via the team's website. "And then we moved the chains. When we called play actions, he was just as likely to run the ball as he was to throw the ball down the field for an explosive.
"And so there are different ways to make big plays in this game. There's no formula. We're not trying to make Haynes anything other than what he is. And so, just letting him kind of grow into that."
The Panthers could use King's skillset as a way to generate some creativity in the red zone this season. His role could grow over time.
