Baker Mayfield is known for playing through injuries. It's thought that a shoulder injury hindered his ability to play to the best of his ability last year with the Browns.
As the quarterback's struggles in 2022 continued with his new team, the Panthers, on Sunday, he appeared to suffer another injury in a 37-15 loss to the 49ers. He twisted his left ankle early in the game and was seen in the locker room wearing a walking boot after the game.
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Mayfield finished the game 20 of 36 for for 215 yards and a pick-six thrown to Emmanuel Mosely. He heard more boos from the home crowd (which was regularly drowned out by visiting 49ers fans). The Panthers fell to 1-4 on the season.
The injury seemed to come just before the half when he was ripped down by Hassan Ridgeway.
#BakerMayfield headed to locker room early right before half. Left ankle/lower leg injury and likely to return. Played another down and last year continued to play after shoulder dislocation. pic.twitter.com/sWPY9IJDhn
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 9, 2022
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On Monday, Ian Rapoport reported Mayfield will miss time with a high ankle sprain, meaning next week's game will see PJ Walker starting against the Rams. It has not been determined how much time Mayfield will miss.
What is Baker Mayfield's injury?
Mayfield confirmed after the game that he was hurt.
"Somebody landed on the ankle,” he said, per The Associated Press. "It didn’t feel too good."
According to the AP, Mayfield downplayed the severity of the injury when he was asked if this was the hardest time of his career.
“I have a walking boot on, my leg is not cut off, so I will be all right," he said. "I would love to be in a better position record-wise but you keep pushing forward. It’s not time to put your head down and give up.”
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported X-rays on Mayfield's foot were negative and he was scheduled to have an MRI on Monday.
#Panthers QB Baker Mayfield had X-Rays on his foot following the game and they were negative. He'll have an MRI today to determine the extent of the injury after leaving yesterday in a walking boot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 10, 2022
Panthers QB depth chart
Mayfield will miss next week's game against the Rams, and P.J. Walker is next on the depth chart with Sam Darnold (ankle) still on injured reserve.
Walker finished the game for Carolina on Sunday, completing 5 of 6 passes for 60 yards.
The Panthers have Jacob Eason on their practice squad as well, meaning they may have to bring him up as a backup option for Walker.
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Baker Mayfield |
| 2 | P.J. Walker |
| 3 | Jacob Eason |
| 4 | Sam Darnold (injured) |
| 5 | Matt Corral (injured) |
