Despite the pair of recent factors suggesting a change could be made, the Panthers will return to the status quo at quarterback this week. Interim head coach Steve Wilks has tapped P.J. Walker as the team’s starting QB for Thursday’s game against the Falcons (Twitter link via Tom Pelissero of NFL Network).
Walker was benched at halftime Sunday after Carolina trailed the Bengals 35-0. Baker Mayfield replaced him, marking his first game action since suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 5. Mayfield’s level of play (a marked improvement on Walker’s 0.0 passer rating), not to mention his status as the team’s starter heading into the campaign, could have led to him resuming the No. 1 role.
Instead, Wilks confirmed that Mayfield will once again serve as the backup, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets. That decision was made in part due to the short week, Wilks added, and it will leave the team with the same starter from their previous meeting with Atlanta.
That contest, which happened just two weeks ago, saw Walker score what could have been the game-winning touchdown on a last-minute, 62-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Moore. A missed extra point (and subsequently, missed field goal in overtime) led to the Falcons ultimately winning the game 37-34. Walker’s performance did enough to have him quickly confirmed as the Week 9 starter, despite the fact that Mayfield had recovered and was able to dress.
Earlier today, the Panthers activated their other veteran signal-caller. Days before Sam Darnold‘s three-week window to be activated from IR expired, Carolina brought him back after he dealt with his own ankle sprain. His addition could have left Walker on the outside of a number crunch, but Wilks indicated that nothing has been decided yet with respect to the team parting ways with any of its three passers.
Attention will turn back towards Walker this week, with the team hoping he can rebound from Sunday's performance. The 2-7 Panthers will have multiple options moving forward if they wish to make a change, though.
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