Sam Darnold not ready for contact yet

Darnold started the first nine games this year, and went on injured reserve in Week 10 with a shoulder injury. During the portion of practice open to the media, he did some throwing and individual drills, but he hasn’t been cleared for contact yet.

“He’s cleared, but he’s not cleared to play,” Rhule said. “I’m not sure when that will be. He’s good enough to throw and move around, but he can’t take contact yet. So that will come down to a CT scan, probably in the coming weeks. So he’s still got a little ways.”

Asked later in his press conference if he thought it was important to see Darnold on the field again this year, Rhule said he wasn’t sure when that might happen.

“I don’t even know if he’ll be back,” Rhule said. “It’s good for Sam to start to get out there and practice with his teammates and do some drills, and all that but that’s so far down the line in terms of getting cleared. So much will happen between now and then.”

The plan remains to start Cam Newton, and to have backup P.J. Walker ready to play some role as well.