CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Baker Mayfield was out of his walking boot on Friday and "definitely could be the backup" to PJ Walker on Sunday when the Carolina Panthers play the Los Angeles Rams, interim coach Steve Wilks said.
"Baker had a great workout this morning," Wilks said. "He looked good. ... The strength staff took him through a very intense workout -- good movement, change of direction and really trying to put some pressure on his ankle.
"He threw the ball well."
Mayfield suffered a left ankle sprain near the end of the first half of Sunday's 37-15 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in what turned out to be the final game for coach Matt Rhule, who was fired on Monday after a 1-4 start to this season and 11-27 record since 2020.