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QB Baker Mayfield starts Carolina Panthers' preseason opener over Sam Darnold

CHARLOTTE, N.C -- Baker Mayfield got the start at quarterback for the Carolina Panthers in their preseason opener at Washington, but Sam Darnold held his own.

Mayfield and Darnold are in what the Panthers call an "open'' competition for the starting job.

Mayfield went 4-for-7 for 46 yards in his only drive that ended with a 41-yard field goal. His biggest mistake was a fumbled snap in the red zone (19-yard line) that left him with a third-and-14 pass he didn't complete.

Darnold took over at the Washington 19-yard line on his first series after the defense recovered a fumble.