The Carolina Panthers’ are facing an even tougher challenge in their attempts to turn things around after a 1-4 start to the 2022 season. One day after firing head coach Matt Rhule, the Panthers learned they will be without their starting quarterback Baker Mayfield for the time being.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Mayfield was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and will be out anywhere from two to six weeks. The sources close to the player say the 27-year-old player wants to return as soon as possible but a speedy comeback remains unlikely.
While Rhule took the blame for Carolina’s poor performances, the truth is that Mayfield’s poor performances played a big part in the Panthers’ struggles in 2022. The 2018’s first overall pick is completing career-low 54.9 percent of his passes this season and has thrown for only 962 yards and four touchdowns. He also has four interceptions.
The bad news for the Panthers is that their backup signal caller Sam Darnold is also out with an injury. Darnold suffered a similar injury to Mayfield’s during the preseason and is reportedly still weeks away from getting back in action.
In the absence of Mayfield and Darnold, the Panthers’ interim head coach Steve Wilks will be forced to turn to third-string QB PJ Walker. The former XFL player started two games for the Panthers in the past two seasons and won both of them. However, Walker’s overall stats in NFL are not promising as he has just two touchdowns to eight interceptions.
“PJ is up and ready,” Wilks told reporters during his introductory press conference. “He does a great job in being prepared each and every day. I have total confidence if he has to step in.”
