Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Could P.J. Walker win Panthers starting QB job with Baker Mayfield injured?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/10/22

It appears the 1-4 Carolina Panthers will have an interim head coach and a different quarterback guiding them into this coming Sunday's game at the 2-3 Los Angeles Rams.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Monday afternoon that Panthers starting quarterback Baker Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain in this past Sunday's 37-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and will miss some time due to that setback.

ESPN's David Newton previously noted that backup Sam Darnold remains on injured reserve because of the ankle issue he suffered in late August, meaning third-choice option P.J. Walker is likely on track to start for Carolina at the Rams.

From NFL Now: #Panthers QB Baker Mayfield has an injured ankle, and PJ Walker is slated to start vs. the #Rams. pic.twitter.com/DAWoXFZy51
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022

Mayfield had yet another outing to forget against the 49ers and completed 20-of-36 passes for 215 yards with no touchdowns and an interception taken to the house for a score:

First career pick-six for the North Carolina kid! @Mannymoseley

#SFvsCAR on CBS pic.twitter.com/bbVgjtllGX
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 9, 2022

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network hinted that Walker, a former XFL star, could be auditioning in front of interim coach Steve Wilks to win the job from Mayfield for at least a portion of the fall following the firing of coach Matt Rhule earlier on Monday:

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

Mayfield originally joined the Panthers when he was traded by the Cleveland Browns in July and was largely downright awful throughout his first five games with Carolina. Per ESPN stats, the 27-year-old began Monday 32nd among eligible quarterbacks with a 71.9 passer rating and dead last in the league with a 16.5 total QBR on the season. He's 32nd with a completion percentage of 54.9% and 23rd with 962 passing yards, and he has tossed four touchdowns and four interceptions.

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