5 key observations from Carolina Panthers 2022 preseason finale vs. Bills

Carolina Panthers must reassess backup QB options

The Carolina Panthers had plenty of options within the quarterback room just a fortnight ago. A lot has changed ever since.

Just one week removed from Matt Corral suffering a season-ending foot injury at the New England Patriots, there were more injury worries for the team behind starting signal-caller Baker Mayfield. Sam Darnold went down with a reported high ankle sprain in the second half, which is likely to keep him out for multiple weeks to further decimate Carolina’s options.

P.J. Walker, who was seen as the odd man out throughout camp, has gone from a cut candidate to the Panthers’ primary backup in double-quick time. But depending on the official diagnosis surrounding Darnold, it might force those in power to look at alternative options in free agency or the trade market.

Matt Rhule knows Walker well, which might mean he’s given the No. 2 job until Darnold returns. However, this also highlights the need for Mayfield to remain healthy from start to finish if the Panthers want to stand any chance of making legitimate progress in 2022.

Hopefully, Darnold can get back quickly. For all his faults as a starter, he represents a better backup option than Walker, and the USC product conducted himself extremely well with the cards stacked against him this summer.