Panthers Expected to Add Quarterback After Haynes King Injury

A preseason breakout performance quickly turned into a setback for the Carolina Panthers.

Haynes King, who emerged as an unlikely hero during Thursday night’s 33-30 win over the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game, reportedly suffered a hamstring injury during the contest. According to multiple reports on Saturday, the 25-year-old quarterback is expected to be monitored on a week-to-week basis.

King had delivered the game’s defining moment, scoring the winning touchdown on a 5-yard rushing attempt as time expired. However, his injury has now left Carolina with only two healthy quarterbacks: starter Bryce Young and veteran backup Kenny Pickett.

With three preseason games remaining, the Panthers will need additional depth at the position.

The Athletic’s Joe Person reported that Carolina intends to bring in another quarterback while King recovers. Person identified former Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-round selection Kyle Trask and former Panthers practice-squad quarterback Jack Plummer as potential options.

Trask worked out for the Panthers roughly two weeks ago. He spent his first four NFL seasons with Tampa Bay from 2021 through 2024 before joining the Atlanta Falcons in 2025.

Plummer has a more recent connection to Carolina. The Panthers signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2024, and he enters this opportunity after being named the United Football League’s Most Valuable Player.

For Carolina, adding another quarterback would provide much-needed depth while the team waits to see how quickly King can recover from his hamstring injury.