CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Matt Corral doubtless will miss the 2022-23 season with what coach Matt Rhule referred to as a “significant” Lisfranc ligament tear.
“I’d assume it will be some time; I’d assume it will be a big period of time,” Rhule stated Saturday. “I’m pretty sure it will be a long-term injury.”
Corral suffered the left foot injury in the Friday night preseason loss at New England.
A 2016 study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine determined NFL players with Lisfranc injuries treated without surgery missed an average of 6.2 months recovering and those who underwent surgery missed an average of 11.6 months. Rhule said Corral, his family, agent and team doctors are exploring the best option.
In phrases of the beginning quarterback battle between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, Rhule still wasn’t ready to name the winner, although multiple sources have said the job remains Mayfield’s to lose.
Rhule also wasn’t ready to say whether he would make that decision before the preseason finale Friday against Buffalo, but he did say “most, if not all, of the starters” will play towards the Bills.
Almost all the starters, together with Mayfield and Darnold, had been held out of the 20-10 loss to the Patriots.
Rhule stated Corral’s harm will not affect his resolution on who performs towards Buffalo. But he stated it might affect whether or not the group retains three quarterbacks as he stated was the plan early in coaching camp.
Corral doubtless would have been the third quarterback, behind Mayfield and Darnold. Carolina additionally has former XFL star PJ Walker, who’s 2-0 as a starter for the Panthers the previous two years.
Walker struggled with two interceptions and a misplaced fumble that resulted in a landing towards New England.
“That position takes a beating,” Rhule said. “We wish to have as many good gamers at that place as attainable and make no apologies for it. Matt was coming alongside.”
Corral’s harm occurred in the fourth quarter when a participant stepped awkwardly on his foot. He limped off the sphere and didn’t return, leaving Gillette Stadium in a strolling boot.
Rhule stated deep snapper J.J. Jansen and different veterans gave up their seats in firstclass to present Corral extra room on the flight house.
“I hate it for him,” Rhule said of Corral. “I assumed he was taking part in properly, too.”
The Panthers chosen Corral in the third spherical out of Ole Miss. In the Friday matchup he noticed his most in depth taking part in time in observe or preseason video games as Mayfield and Darnold have gotten a majority of the snaps.
Corral, who was 1-for-9 in the preseason opener at Washington, was 9-for-15 for 58 yards towards New England.
“I thought I saw a lot of really nice signs early in the game,” Rhule said. “But I do know Matt’s a battler. This yr’s developmental. He’s simply going to need to grind, each taking good care of his foot and all of the issues he must do as a quarterback.
“Hopefully, sometime he’ll look again and say it was a blessing, however I hate it for him proper now.”
