When Taylor Heinicke was writhing in pain on the ground during the second quarter of his first NFL start after a Grady Jarrett sack, he had been there before – the former ODU quarterback was sent to IR only nine snaps into his first NFL game action during the 2017 season as well; while a gutty performance led to Heinicke returning to the field to finish the game in obvious pain with a wrapped brace on his left elbow, the 25-year old quarterback was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ending the backup quarterback’s season.
“It was like déjà vu from last year,” said Heinicke after the game on Sunday. “Christmas Day, Houston throws me in there and I’m moving the ball and then I’m out. I wasn’t going to let that happen again – I waited too long. I worked too hard.”
“Obviously, I want to be out there for those guys. Those guys are awesome and they believe in me. I wanted to give my all for them.”
While he gave his all for them on Sunday, the Panthers announced Wednesday that they would be placing Heinicke on IR with the elbow injury – Heinicke spent the entire season as the Panthers backup quarterback before making the start in Week 16 versus Atlanta in place of Cam Newton. He will finish the 2018 season with 320 passing yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on 35-of-57 passing.
This will be Heinicke’s third stint on injured reserve of his career.
With Heinicke out and the team still not expected to activate Cam Newton, the Panthers have signed former practice squad quarterback Garrett Gilbert, who spent a few weeks on the active roster last season but did not see any playing time during 2017 – Gilbert and Heinicke competed during the 2018 preseason for the backup job that ultimately went to Heinicke.
Gilbert was selected in the first round of The Alliance of American Football’s “Protect or Pick” Quarterback Draft by the Orlando Apollos – the Panthers now have Gilbert, who was 19-of-33 for 185 yards and two touchdowns during the 2018 preseason for Carolina, and undrafted free agent rookie Kyle Allen as the only two quarterbacks on the roster.
Allen was released from the practice squad after Week 1 by the Panthers, only to rejoin the scout team after Week 8.
“It means everything,” said Allen on Sunday after the game about the Panthers bringing him back after releasing him. “I think it’s a testament to my mindset and a testament of who I am. I’m not going to quit. I’m going to keep coming to work every day whether they call me, cut me, they bring me back. I’m going to come and I’m going to do my thing every day. I think it’s a testament to my mindset. I appreciate them trusting me, I appreciate them giving me that opportunity to go out there.”
Allen made his NFL debut on Sunday against the Falcons while Heinicke was in the locker room, going 4-of-4 and leading a Panthers drive into the red zone before ceding the ball back to Heinicke.
