OCTOBER 16: Mayfield is inactive for today’s game, as expected. That will leave Walker and Jacob Eason available to the Panthers under center today against Los Angeles. The Rams, meanwhile, will also be shorthanded at the position, as backup John Wolford is out with a neck injury. He will be replaced by Bryce Perkins.
OCTOBER 11: The second opinion the Panthers quarterback received confirmed surgery will not be necessary, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. Mayfield is not expected to be placed on IR, opening the door to a return within the next four games. This season has gone about as badly as possible for the former No. 1 overall pick, but his avoiding a serious injury is obviously a plus. Walker will be expected to start the first game of Steve Wilks‘ Panthers HC tenure, with Pelissero adding Mayfield should be shelved for two to six weeks (Twitter link).
OCTOBER 10: After he exited yesterday’s game early, and donned a walking boot following the contest, it was expected that Baker Mayfield would miss at least some time. Today, it was confirmed that the Panthers quarterback suffered a high ankle sprain (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network). 
[RELATED: Panthers Fire HC Matt Rhule]
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets that Mayfield is expected to miss multiple weeks at a minimum as a result of the injury. He is in the process of gathering further information to determine his next steps, but being available for Week 6 may not be out of the question yet. The Athletic’s Joe Person reports that Mayfield “hopes” to play on Sunday against the Rams, something which is a “longshot” at this point (Twitter link).
Playing through pain would be nothing new for the former No. 1 pick, of course. Dealing with a serious shoulder injury (among other things), Mayfield suited up for 14 contests in 2021, the first season in which he missed any games in his career. His performance was clearly affected by his health status, and he put up career-lows statistically and was ultimately dealt to Carolina.
That led to optimism for his ability to resurrect his career and provide the Panthers with some much-needed stability at the position. However, he contributed greatly to the team’s offensive struggles, completing less than 55% of his passes and amassing a career-low QBR of 71.9. For that reason, Rapoport adds, fellow 2018 draftee Sam Darnold may well have already taken over the No. 1 role had he been available (video link).
Instead, Darnold, who lost out in the training camp competition to Mayfield for the starting job, has yet to play this season. He suffered a high ankle sprain of his own, which has landed him on IR. The recovery timeline of four to six weeks should have him seeing the field soon, but he has yet to be designated for return. That, coupled with the season-ending injury suffered by rookie Matt Corral this preseason, threatens to leave the team very shorthanded against the defending champions.
The only healthy QB the Panthers have on the active roster is P.J. Walker. A depth option with the team since 2020, the 27-year-old has won each of his two career starts. He will, in all likelihood, be seeking a third victory on Sunday as Carolina begins the post-Rhule era.
QBR (Total Quarterback Rating) and Quarterback Rating are 2 different things. Mayfield’s career best QBR over a season is 65.5. A 71.9 QBR would be very good… Baker is not.
ESPN has one they made up was easier to understand since it was 1-100. Not sure what one either was using. That is the problem everyone has a better idea so there are multiple types to make what is confusing more so.
what’s not confusing is baker looks very small on the field and has put out underwhelming results
Might be the best thing for CArolina
Someone close to Baker needs to tell him to sit until he’s 100% healthy. I think some of his struggles have been due to Rhule. But you go out and play hurt and continue to struggle, it won’t be a great resume addition.
I believe Baker can be a solid QB- maybe more than I should. I’d like to see him get a real coach that knows offense though, just to see.
Mayfield isn’t getting a job of a starter next year. His immaturity and the fact that he just hasn’t played well the last 2 years. The only way he gets a starter job is if it’s a bridge QB. Like Trubisky was. I like Mayfield’s toughness but he’s just not that good. He’s a game manager and doesn’t elevate a team
ya he’s definitely a solid backup, nothing more.
Really want the guy to do well, maybe some rest and a new coach; we all saw what happened when Hue left..
Rest up Baker the Bears need you. Bring back #6
Now that is funny….. The true definition of “Tanking” by not “Tanking”
Well Mayfield’s defense stinks, that is his problem
And I have tried and I am serious, but it has not resonated but Gruden would be great as head Coach of the Panthers
Gruden is afraid to draft QB’s. He praised every single rookie while in media. Yet when he signed with the Raiders drafted none? Why not? He went through 3 drafts as HC/GM. Just couldn’t find 1 decent BU?
I still think he can do it
Gruden is an overhyped, sexist, racist, homophobic bum.
Oooooo Booooo
Crap Cam would at least be fun again
Mayfield is no stranger to playing through pain, he was with the Browns for 4-years.
Wow, career worst marks for two starting QB’s. Already into their third QB. Wonder if the problem is at QB or with the offensive line. Maybe with play calling, probably offensive line, as Mayfield has pretty good football understanding and isn’t afraid to audible.