Panthers' Baker Mayfield replaces PJ Walker, tosses 2 TDs in loss

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Baker wondered if he would get another chance to play quarterback for the Carolinas.

After facing the largest halftime deficit in team history, Steve Wilks benched PJ Walker for the first time in his coaching career.

The quarterback threw an 8-yard touchdown pass on his first drive to cut the lead to 35-7. He completed 14 of 20 passes for 155 yards and two touchdown, his first scores since a Week 4 loss to the ArizonaCardinals.

Against four picks, it was only the fifth and sixth touchdown passes of the season. The game ended in a loss for the panthers.

In the loss to the 49ers, he was replaced by Walker due to an ankle injury. Even though he was healthy enough to play the next two games, he was still the backup. In part this was because Walker was playing well and in part because Mayfield's 15.3 Total Quarterback Rating the first five games was the worst for a quarterback since 2006

Walker completed only 3 of 10 pass attempts for 9 yards with two picks in the first half. The 35 point deficit was the largest for a first half in team history.

The previous record was a 32 point deficit to the New Orleans Saints.

The "looming question'' of what his future would be at Carolina when Sam Darnold was activated from injured reserve with the Tuesday deadline coming up, was talked about earlier in the week by quarterback Baker Mayfield. Teams rarely carry three quarterbacks with one on the practice squad.

Before the season is over, he wants to get another look at the player.

"That's not something we can handle.'' One day at a time, that's what we're worried about. It's been done that way. When that time arrives, we will see. I don't know what to say.