The Carolina Panthers defeated their NFC rivals, the New Orleans Saints, 25-15 on Sunday.
The win didn’t come without some losses for the Panthers. Starting quarterback P.J. Walker, the former XFL MVP who has been a surprise for the franchise, suffered a high ankle sprain.
That means Baker Mayfield will return to the starting lineup over Sam Darnold, whom the Panthers recently brought back into the fold after injury.
PJ Walker has a high ankle sprain. So Baker Mayfield will start at QB this week, Sam Darnold will be the backup.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 14, 2022
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Perhaps most shockingly, Walker is the third Panthers quarterback to be injured by the team’s stadium turf.
All three of the Panthers' QBs have had high ankle sprains this season, all sustained on the artificial turf at BoA Stadium. Steve Wilks said he wouldn't speculate on whether turf played a factor.
— Joe Person (@josephperson) November 14, 2022
“All three of the Panthers’ QBs have had high ankle sprains this season, all sustained on the artificial turf at [Bank of America] Stadium. [Carolina head coach] Steve Wilks said he wouldn’t speculate on whether turf played a factor,” Person said.
Mayfield’s return doesn’t spell the end for former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold.
I’m told Carolina does have some interest in seeing Sam Darnold in action at some point, too. Panthers haven’t seen him run Ben McAdoo’s offense in a regular season game. That will have to wait at least a week, with Baker Mayfield getting the start.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 14, 2022
“I’m told Carolina does have some interest in seeing Sam Darnold in action at some point, too,” Jeremy Fowler reported. “Panthers haven’t seen him run Ben McAdoo’s offense in a regular season game. That will have to wait at least a week, with Baker Mayfield getting the start.”
The Panthers are next in action Sunday when they travel to Maryland to face the Baltimore Ravens.
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