Panthers Sign Kyle Trask After Haynes King Suffers Hamstring Injury in 33-30 Win

The Carolina Panthers added Kyle Trask to the roster on Sunday after Haynes King suffered a hamstring injury during his game-winning touchdown run.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers officially signed quarterback Kyle Trask on Sunday morning to address a depth deficiency following a 33-30 preseason victory over the Arizona Cardinals. This roster move comes as undrafted rookie Haynes King, the hero of Thursday night’s Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, faces an indefinite period on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. King secured the three-point win on the final play of the contest by rushing into the end zone from 5 yards out.

Before his injury, King completed 21 of 34 pass attempts for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The former Georgia Tech standout and reigning Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year also contributed 39 rushing yards, including the decisive scoring plunge. Head coach Dave Canales noted on Sunday that the medical staff believes the injury occurred during that final lunge for the goal line. Canales described the play as one where King gave everything he had to ensure the victory, resulting in a weekly evaluation process for the rookie's recovery.

Roster Adjustments Behind Bryce Young

Kyle Trask joins the organization as the third-string option, slotted on the depth chart behind starting quarterback Bryce Young and primary backup Kenny Pickett. Trask arrives in Charlotte with a specific professional history involving Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, as the two spent the previous three seasons together with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite his time in the league, Trask possesses limited regular-season game experience, having recorded only 11 career pass attempts to date.

This acquisition ensures the Panthers have three healthy signal-callers available for upcoming practices and exhibition matches. The team is currently preparing for a road trip to face the Buffalo Bills this Saturday. While King has already been ruled out for the matchup in Buffalo, Trask is expected to be eligible for playing time during that contest to showcase his familiarity with Idzik’s offensive system.

Haynes King’s Performance and Outlook

The injury to King interrupts a significant momentum shift for the rookie, who led the Panthers' offense through the kickoff of the NFL preseason. His 180-yard passing performance and dual-threat capabilities were central to the 33-30 result against Arizona. Canales emphasized that the team will monitor King’s hamstring status closely, though no specific timeline for a return has been established beyond his confirmed absence for the game on August 15.

Trask’s transition to the Panthers' locker room happens effectively immediately as the team shifts focus from the Canton festivities to their standard preseason schedule. The former Buccaneer will spend the week integrating into a rotation that previously relied on King to take significant snaps behind the established veterans. The Panthers' coaching staff will now look to Trask to provide stability in the third-string role while King undergoes rehabilitation for the ailment sustained during his game-winning dive.