Panthers' P.J. Walker to start vs. Falcons over Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold

Carolina Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks feels no need to sit third-choice quarterback P.J. Walker for this coming Sunday's game at the 3-4 Atlanta Falcons after Walker guided the Panthers to a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that improved Carolina to 2-5 on the season. 

ESPN's David Newton notes that Wilks told reporters Monday that Walker will get the nod for the Week 8 game in Atlanta even if both QB1 Baker Mayfield and 2021 Week 1 starter Sam Darnold are cleared to play coming off ankle injuries. 

"As of right now, I see no reason not to [start him]," Wilks said of Walker. "The energy was there.''

Walker completed 16-of-22 passes for 177 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the 21-3 victory over Tampa Bay. As for Wilks, he replaced fired head coach Matt Rhule on Oct. 10 and later refused to commit to starting Mayfield when the 27-year-old recovered from an ankle injury that reportedly includes a ligament tear he suffered in Week 5 on Oct. 9. 

Carolina traded with the Cleveland Browns for Mayfield in July, but ESPN stats show he's currently 34th among eligible quarterbacks with a 71.9 passer rating and dead last with a 15.3 total QBR on the season. Wilks has no long-term ties to Mayfield and, thus, understandably isn't in any hurry to put the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft back in the lineup. 

Darnold hasn't played since he went down with a high-ankle sprain during the preseason in August. It's unclear if either Mayfield or Darnold will dress versus the Falcons.