It’s been quite the Monday for the Carolina Panthers, who are going to see some major changes in two of the most important positions.
First, the team finally fired head coach Matt Rhule following a 1-4 start and a third-straight season in which the NFL franchise looks destined to be near the bottom of the standings.
Then, they elevated Steve Wilks to the role of interim head coach.
Now comes word that starting quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain on Sunday. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he’s expected to miss time and PJ Walker is likely to start for the Panthers until he can return.
#Panthers QB Baker Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday’s game, sources say. That means he’ll miss time, but how much will be determined by more tests and opinions. PJ Walker in line to start at QB this week vs. the #Rams.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022
Walker, it should be noted, is 2-0 as a starter for Carolina. And some were already speculating that Mayfield could be benched for Walker regardless of the injury, so perhaps this was inevitable.
PJ Walker has started two games for the #Panthers, who won them both. There was a chance that a QB change was coming regardless; Mayfield's injury makes it an easy call as they move forward with Steve Wilks as interim coach. https://t.co/HZFgOcRvcD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 10, 2022
Walker, who played for Rhule at Temple, signed a two-year deal with the team in 2020. He played in four games that season, starting one, throwing for 258 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 20–0 win. In 2021, he appeared in five games, also starting one, throwing for 200 yards, one score, and three interceptions in the victory.
The 27-year-old will get a real chance to prove that the Panthers should invest in him moving forward, but we’ll see what the future holds for him, Mayfield, and Wilks, in the weeks ahead.
PJ Walker gets the chance to chase down Cooper Rush’s record for career games started without a loss. https://t.co/ov5oCfZYcR
— Julian Council (@JulianCouncil) October 10, 2022
Walker will start Sunday, but Panthers will have to hire some short-term insurance too. The other 3 QBs are all hurt.
Just stating a fact here: Cam Newton is available. https://t.co/4gnpTYh3WM— Scott Fowler (@scott_fowler) October 10, 2022
America’s QB returns to save the #Panthers https://t.co/k17w1UjhSu
— Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan) October 10, 2022
Let the tanking begin https://t.co/AzD80pHuLm
— Antwan V. Staley (@antwanstaley) October 10, 2022
The Panthers gave up a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, conditional 4th or 5th, and a 6th for Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Matt Corral.
And their best move is likely play PJ Walker.
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) October 10, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.