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Friday update: Mayfield is officially doubtful for Week 6, so we will get P.J. Walker as the starter after he took all the first team reps.
Steve Wilks said Baker Mayfield had a great workout today and the Panthers are waiting for the latest MRI, but PJ Walker will start on Sunday in Los Angeles.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) October 14, 2022
Thursday update: Mayfield is pushing to return from his ankle injury sooner than later, but he has yet to practice this week, making a Week 6 return highly unlikely. Mayfield seems to enjoy playing through injuries, which in turn make him play worse than he already is.
Tuesday update: Mayfield got a second opinion that confirmed his high ankle sprain, but he won’t require surgery, per Tom Pelissero. The team is not placing him on IR, but Pelissero noted a realistic timeline was an absence of 2-6 weeks.
Monday update: Mayfield is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, per Ian Rapoport. PJ Walker is likely to start in Week 6 against the Rams.
The Carolina Panthers are circling the drain early on iin this 2022 NFL season. They did manage a win, but their offense has looked so putrid under Baker Mayfield, that there really is no hope for a turnaround. On Sunday, head coach Matt Rhule wouldn’t comment on replacing Mayfield, but, if he wants to, he may have an out, as Mayfield is dealing with an foot/ankle injury coming off their beat down by the 49ers in Week 5.
They’ll likely have more tests today to get a better picture of the injury, but if Rhule wants to go to backup P.J. Walker, he could.
Fantasy football implications
There is little fantasy appeal in Charlotte other than Christian McCaffrey. You won’t want any piece of Mayfield or Walker next week against Aaron Donald and the Rams. But, as long as McCaffrey gets his touches, he’ll continue to have good value.