Watch: Sam Darnold recovers his own fumble, rolls into endzone

Officials and players confer as Sam Darnold holds the ball in the end zone after fumbling and recovering in the end zone for a score against the Denver Broncos during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Panthers' Sam Darnold recovers his own fumble, stops, drops and rolls for touchdown

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/27/22

In his first start since last January, Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold found a unique way to score in Sunday's 23-10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

With 7:21 left in the third quarter and the Panthers threatening near the goal line, Darnold had the football stripped away on a quarterback keeper by Broncos' linebacker Josey Jewell. However, Darnold averted disaster, falling on his fumble before stopping, dropping, and rolling his way into the endzone.

Stop, drop and roll!

: #DENvsCAR on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2KsxO2WI71 pic.twitter.com/pv5xaYpKDc
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022

Darnold accounted for both Panthers' touchdowns in Sunday's victory. Besides his quote, unquote rushing score, Darnold connected with DJ Moore on a five-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

DARNOLD DIME

: #DENvsCAR on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/2KsxO2EyST pic.twitter.com/DuaShAP7iH
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2022

The 25-year-old didn't have a blow-away performance but managed the game nicely, finishing 11-of-19 for 164 yards with two total touchdowns.

The Panthers benched Baker Mayfield earlier this week, instead opting to start Darnold Sunday against the Broncos.

Even with Sunday's win, at 4-8, the Panthers' 2022 campaign is going nowhere, and there's speculation that Carolina benched Mayfield in favor of Darnold over a draft pick. The 2024 conditional draft selection traded by Carolina to the Cleveland Browns in the deal for Mayfield in July will go from a fourth-round choice to a fifth-round pick if the quarterback fails to play at least 70 percent of the Panthers' snaps this season.

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