Panthers interim HC Steve Wilks 'confident in' backup QB PJ Walker if Baker Mayfield misses time

The Carolina Panthers have had quite a week. 

After firing head coach Matt Rhule and several members of his staff on Monday, they may head into their first game under interim coach Steve Wilks without starting quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's 37-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. 

If Mayfield can't go on Sunday, the Panthers will turn to backup PJ Walker in what would be his third career NFL start. 

"I'm confident in PJ, and I think the players are confident in PJ," Wilks told reporters on Wednesday, per the Panthers' official website. "This is one of those situations where, you're sitting where we are right now this season, and everybody could start pressing and trying to do things outside the system. So I foresee that as part of my conversation this week. 

"We don't need one guy to go out and win the football game. Just go out and do what you do." 

Walker finished 5-of-6 for 60 yards in relief of Mayfield last week. 

The 27-year-old is 2-0 in his two career starts, going 46-of-63 for 425 yards, with a touchdown and three interceptions. 

While the Panthers have yet to rule Mayfield out for this week's matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, ESPN's Jeremey Fowler reports that the quarterback will miss anywhere from two to six weeks. According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Mayfield had a second opinion on his ankle sprain, which confirmed no structural damage, ruling out the possibility of surgery.

On Wednesday, Wilks said the Panthers feel there "could be a chance" Mayfield plays this weekend, adding, "We'll see how it goes."