Panthers' P.J. Walker: Likely headed for backup role
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that Cam Newton will take most of the first-team reps in practice this week, signaling that Walker likely will return to a backup role for Carolina's Week 11 matchup with Washington, Jonathan M. Alexander of The Charlotte Observer reports. "If [Newton is] ready to start, great," Rhule said. "If he's not quite ready, obviously P.J. is available."
After Sam Darnold (shoulder) was placed on injured reserve Friday with the expectation that he'll be sidelined for the remainder of the season, Walker stepped in for his second career start over the weekend in the Panthers' 34-10 win over the Cardinals. Though the Panthers were essentially in control of the contest from opening kickoff, Walker wasn't the solid game manager that Carolina's 24-point margin of victory implied. While he completed 22 of his 29 throws, Walker averaged a weak 5.8 yards per attempt and committed two turnovers (an interception and a lost fumble). Meanwhile, Newton -- who inked a one-year deal with Carolina on Thursday -- was eased into the game plan with a limited snap count and cashed in with touchdowns through the air and on the ground. With a full week of prep in practice, the expectation is that the veteran signal-caller will take over as the team's starter moving forward as Carolina looks to keep itself in the thick of a packed NFC playoff race.
