Darnold throws 2 TDs, Panthers smother Steelers backups 34-9

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (AP) — Sam Darnold completed 19 of 25 passes for 162 yards and two touchdowns, and the Carolina Panthers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 34-9 on Friday night in the preseason finale for both teams.

Darnold, who saw his most extensive action of the preseason, spent most of the first quarter under duress despite playing against a defense that was resting all of its starters.

But the 2018 No. 3 overall draft pick acquired this offseason from the New York Jets stayed calm and rebounded, finding rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. for a 13-yard touchdown pass and Robby Anderson for an 8-yard score before exiting at halftime. D.J. Moore caught six passes from Darnold for 48 yards.

Christian McCaffrey sat out, but the rest of Carolina’s offensive and defensive starters played the entire first half.

With this being the Steelers’ fourth preseason game — most teams played three — coach Mike Tomlin rested all but four starters, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson, and running back Najee Harris. Even backup QB Mason Rudolph got the night off.

Dwayne Haskins started and struggled, completing just 9 of 16 passes for 108 yards with one interception and one late touchdown on Pittsburgh’s final drive.

The Panthers built a 10-0 lead midway through the second quarter after Marshall, one of the most productive receivers in the NFL this preseason, caught a pass from Darnold in the flat and eluded two defenders en route to the end zone. The score was set up when Pittsburgh’s Matthew Sexton muffed a punt and Carolina’s Keith Kirkwood recovered at the Steelers 15.

Darnold’s second TD was a perfectly lofted pass over the head of linebacker Robert Spillane and into Anderson’s arms in the middle of the end zone.

Undrafted rookie running back Spencer Brown from Alabama-Birmingham, helped his chances of making an NFL roster by running for 57 yards on 11 carries, including a 20-yard touchdown. Backup quarterback Will Grier added a 24-yard TD run for the Panthers.

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Pittsburgh Steelers v Carolina Panthers CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 27: D.J. Moore #2 of the Carolina Panthers is pushed by Miles Killebrew #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on August 27, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images) (Chris Keane/Getty Images)

KICKING BATTLE

The Panthers traded for kicker Ryan Santoso on Thursday, providing competition for the struggling Joey Slye.

Santoso made the most of his opportunity, banging a 52-yard field goal attempt off the right upright and through the goal posts in the first quarter. He later added a 27-yard field goal and three extra points. Slye missed wide right from 49 yards in the second quarter, his third miss of the preseason.

After Slye’s miss, former Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr., who now works as a commentator for the team’s TV broadcast team, remarked “Where’s my fork? ‘Cause he is done.”

TEPPER: I CAN AFFORD IT

Panthers owner David Tepper used a curse word on the Panthers’ halftime show. When Smith replied, “You just did. They’re going to fine you,” the billionaire owner replied “I can afford it.”

INJURIES

Steelers: Linebacker Marcus Allen (leg) left in the first half and did not return.

Panthers: Cornerback Rashaan Melvin (groin), wide receiver Shi Smith (shoulder) and running back Darius Clark (knee) left with injuries.

UP NEXT

Steelers: open regular season at Buffalo on Sept. 12.

Panthers: host Jets on Sept. 12.

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