Could Panthers QB Baker Mayfield play through the pain in Week 7?

Could quarterback Baker Mayfield play through the pain and be a surprise inclusion for the Carolina Panthers in Week 7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Steve Wilks has already stated that P.J. Walker will start Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacob Eason will assume backup duties. But could this situation change with Baker Mayfield‘s presence at practice this week?

The quarterback was seen moving pretty well and getting off some throws on a limited basis, which is a step in the right direction after suffering ankle ligament damage in Week 5. Something that indicates he’s potentially forcing the interim head coach into a change of plans providing there’s no soreness in the coming days.

Mayfield’s trade from the Cleveland Browns has been disastrous so far. One can point to the needless quarterback battle in training camp and the dismal scheme implemented by Ben McAdoo, but the former Oklahoma standout also needs to be held accountable for his lack of production in key moments before sitting out last weekend.

With Sam Darnold also back practicing following a high ankle sprain, the urgency for Mayfield to get back out there increases further. While the USC product’s production in 2021 leaves little confidence, desperate times call for desperate measures and there is a real chance he’s thrown back into the fold at some stage when all hope seemed lost.

Carolina Panthers should err on the side of caution with Baker Mayfield

Mayfield has a high pain tolerance. He played through a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder from Week 2 onwards with the Browns last season, which was commendable even if his consistency dropped substantially along the way.

Whether the same happens in Carolina is down to Wilks. The respected figure has already stated that he won’t put Mayfield in harm’s way unless there is 100 percent confidence in his ability to produce the goods, so they might decide to roll with Walker for another week and see if things can finally start trending upwards versus their NFC South divisional rivals.

Then, it gets messy.

Wilks’ refusal to fully commit to Mayfield could result in a brand new quarterback battle within the organization. Not exactly ideal almost at the midway stage of the campaign, but this is the route Carolina chose for themselves with a series of flawed trades when the focus should have been drafting a promising college player and building around them.

That’s one of many things Matt Rhule paid for with his job. Mayfield’s career is also hanging in the balance, which could lead to the signal-caller risking his own health by getting back out onto the gridiron in a competitive environment ahead of time.

Mayfield has thrown his hat in the ring, at the very least. And given the complete lack of faith in Walker from the Panthers coaching staff at the Los Angeles Rams, it cannot be completely ruled out no matter how unlikely it appears.

Knowing Mayfield’s character, it’s highly likely he’ll be pushing to play and start. But the decision was made earlier this week and Wilks would need some convincing to go back on his initial stance.

Week 7 might be too soon for Mayfield, who has a fight on his hands earning the No. 1 job all over again if Wilks’ recent comments are any indication.

A far cry from what many anticipated when he joined the Panthers.