Panthers' Steve Wilks doesn't commit to Baker Mayfield as starting QB

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield missed Sunday's 24-10 loss at the Los Angeles Rams with a left ankle sprain and may not have his starting job waiting for him when he's cleared to return to action. 

According to David Newton of ESPN, Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks declined to commit to automatically starting a healthy Mayfield over backup options P.J. Walker, Sam Darnold, and Jacob Eason this fall. 

"I can't give you that answer,'' Wilks explained when asked if Mayfield will be his QB1 when the ankle is no longer a problem. "But I can tell you right now those guys [in the quarterback room] are going to compete at that position just as well as other positions do to see who exactly goes out there on Sunday.''

Walker started in place of Mayfield against the Rams but suffered a neck injury during that contest and was replaced by Eason, who completed three-of-five passes for 59 yards with an interception. Darnold missed the season's first six games with an ankle injury he experienced in August and likely won't play in this coming Sunday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers even if he's activated off injured reserve on Wednesday, as expected. 

Meanwhile, Wilks added that an MRI has confirmed Mayfield is dealing with a ligament tear related to the injury he endured against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 9. It's unclear when the 27-year-old will be ready to once again face a live defense, as it was initially reported he could require two-to-six weeks to recover.  

"They're all considered to be in the mix, particularly with some of the injuries we have,'' Wilks remarked about the team's quarterback situation. "I told [Eason] on the plane I was very pleased with how he played with poise and really took the team down and put us in a position where we had an opportunity to score.''

Walker has cleared the concussion protocol, so logic suggests he'll probably get the nod for the 1-5 Panthers versus Tampa Bay as long as he can play through what Wilks referred to as "a little bit of soreness in his neck." 

Walker completed 10-of-16 passes for 60 yards against the Rams.