Panthers QB Baker Mayfield has high-ankle sprain, expected to miss time
Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield sustained a left high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the San Francisco 49ers and is expected to miss time, according to multiple reports.
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Backup Sam Darnold is on injured reserve with his own high-ankle sprain, meaning third-year pro P.J. Walker is line to start for the Panthers in Mayfield's expected absence. The Panthers next face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
The news of Mayfield's injury broke hours after the Panthers fired head coach Matt Rhule. Secondary coach Steve Wilks will serve as interim head coach.
Mayfield's ankle was rolled up during a tackle in the first half of Sunday's 37-15 loss. He returned to play in the second half, but showed up to a postgame news conference wearing a walking boot on his left leg.
A former No. 1 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns, Mayfield has struggled since joining the Panthers via offseason trade. In five starts, Mayfield is completing a career-low 54.9% of his passes with his attempts repeatedly batted down at the line of scrimmage. He's averaging 192.4 passing yards per game with four touchdowns and four interceptions during a 1-4 start for Carolina.
Walker is in his third NFL season as a backup in Carolina. In limited action including two starts, he's completed 57% of his passes on 6.2 yards per attempt with two touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Panthers won both of his starts, one each in 2020 and 2021.
It's not clear when Mayfield or Darnold will be ready to return. Rhule said last week that Darnold is "not close" to returning.
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