The Carolina Panthers have added quarterback Matt Barkley to the roster following the bad news released on Sam Darnold's injured shoulder.

It was reported that Darnold fractured his scapula and will miss multiple weeks. That led to the signing of Barkley, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

So, one underwhelming USC quarterback goes down, another joins the fray. Both Darnold and Barkley were highly touted in college. Neither have lived up to expectations in the NFL.

Darnold started this season playing very well. The Panthers were 3-0 and were the surprise of the league. Since then, they have lost five of six games. Darnold had reverted back to his turnover-prone self.

From Week 4 through Week 9, Darnold threw 4 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. That prompted Panthers head coach Matt Rhule to call out his quarterback following Sunday's loss to New England.

Darnold initially injured his shoulder in Week 8 vs Atlanta. It obviously got much worse after taking a beating from the Patriots defense.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Tetairoa McMillan, Jordan Brand, Panthers
Jordan Brand signs Panthers’ Tetairoa McMillan
Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan walks across the stage after being selected eighth overall by the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26.
Dave Canales’ ‘smooth’ review of Tetairoa McMillan will get Panthers fans hyped
Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan is selected by the Carolina Panthers as the number eight pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field.
Panthers’ Tetairoa McMillan signs $27.9 million rookie contract

Barkley was added to back up PJ Walker. Walker will get the start Sunday at Arizona.

Walker has played sparingly this season. His performances did not look any better than Darnold. He is 3-15 passing for 33 yards and been sacked three times in limited action.

Walker was one of the few standout players from the recent version of the XFL. That landed Walker a 2-year, $1.57 million contract with the Panthers last March.

To this point, the success in the XFL has not translated.

After what was a promising start to the season, the Panthers now look like a team in need of a rebuild. That will start with drafting a new quarterback in the off-season.