Phillip Walker

Carolina Panthers
Quarterback #8
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback #8

Phillip Walker News

Starts five games

Walker started five of his six games played this season, completing 63 of 106 attempts (59.4%) for 731 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Analysis: Walker was thrust into Carolina's starting role amid injuries to Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Although he led the Panthers to a couple of wins, Walker was inconsistent prior to suffering an ankle injury of his own. As a restricted free agent this offseason, it may be surprising if Walker is retained, as his spot with the Panthers was connected to his former college coach, Matt Rhule, who was fired by Carolina early in the 2022 campaign.

Jan 11, 2023 4:49 PM EST


Ready for Week 14

Walker (ankle) is expected to play in Week 14 versus the Seahawks, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official website reports.

Analysis: Walker will be ready to go for the Panthers' first game following their bye week after missing the last two contests with an ankle sprain. With Baker Mayfield being let go Monday, Walker will likely operate as the top backup quarterback option behind Sam Darnold for the stretch run. Walker has produced 731 passing yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions while also rushing for 39 yards over six games this year.

Dec 5, 2022 9:04 AM EST



Inactive Sunday

Walker (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against Denver.

Analysis: Walker was considered doubtful for Sunday's contest, so it's not a surprise he won't be suiting up. Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season with Baker Mayfield filling the backup role.

Nov 27, 2022 8:55 AM EST


Doubtful for Week 12

Walker (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Broncos.

Analysis: Walker's expected to miss a second consecutive game after spraining his ankle in Week 10 against the Falcons. Sam Darnold is expected to make his first start of the season for the struggling Panthers offense, while Baker Mayfield will work as the backup if Walker sits out as expected.

Nov 25, 2022 11:15 AM EST


Listed as limited Thursday

Walker (ankle) was listed as limited on Thursday's injury report, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Walker emerged from Week 10 action with a high-ankle sprain, which is expected to sideline him for a second game in a row Sunday versus the Broncos. Interim coach Steve Wilks said as much Wednesday, when Walker was limited, as he wants to give the quarterback Carolina's Week 13 bye to aid his recovery further. This weekend, Sam Darnold will direct the offense, with Baker Mayfield backing him up.

Nov 24, 2022 10:34 AM EST



Limited participant Wednesday

Walker (ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Walker was ruled out for Week 11 due to a high-ankle sprain after seeing game action in each of the previous six games. He was replaced as the starter by Baker Mayfield against the Ravens, but Sam Darnold is slated to start against Denver. If available, Walker figures to operate as the backup, but if he's sidelined again, Mayfield would be the only healthy quarterback available behind Darnold.

Nov 23, 2022 11:53 AM EST


Has high-ankle sprain

Coach Steve Wilks said Monday that Walker has a high-ankle sprain and will not play Week 11 versus Baltimore, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Walker will be replaced by Baker Mayfield in the starting lineup Week 11, with Sam Darnold set to operate as the top backup. Wilks said Walker is without a return timetable but won't be placed on IR, per Augusta Stone of the Panthers' official site, an indication that the team is optimistic about his chances of returning to action without having to miss four games. During Thursday's win over Atlanta, Walker completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yards with no touchdowns.

Nov 14, 2022 7:26 AM EST


On track for another start?

Coach Steve Wilks said Friday that he expects Walker to start Week 11 against Baltimore but will continue to evaluate the QB position ahead of the game, Augusta Stone of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Walker completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yard with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 25-15 win over Atlanta on Thursday, getting some assistance from a trio of dropped interceptions. He was benched at halftime for Baker Mayfield the week before in a blowout loss to Cincinnati, and somehow has accounted for only 671 passing yards, 39 rushing yards and three touchdowns through five starts (2-3 record). If Walker does indeed get another start, he'll be at or near the bottom of most Week 11 QB fantasy rankings for a trip to Baltimore.

Nov 11, 2022 9:49 AM EST


Steers clear of turnovers in win

Walker completed 10 of 16 passes for 108 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions and rushed three times for 14 yards in the Panthers' 25-15 win over the Falcons on Thursday night.

Analysis: Walker operated in a very strict game-manager role while D'Onta Foreman carried the load for the offense, but at least the inconsistent signal-caller remained free of turnovers after a benching in Week 9. Walker's modest but steady performance seemingly keeps him in the starting role for a Week 11 road matchup against the Ravens a week from Sunday.

Nov 10, 2022 8:59 PM EST


Will start Thursday versus Atlanta

Walker will start Thursday's matchup against the Falcons, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Coming off back-to-back solid performances, Walker fell flat against the Bengals in the first half of Sunday's Week 9 loss and was ultimately replaced by Baker Mayfield, suggesting Walker's time as the primary signal caller had come to an end. However, the former XFL quarterback will get another crack against the Falcons, who the Panthers defeated in Week 8 thanks to Walker's 62-yard Hail Mary to DJ Moore to force OT. Sam Darnold was activated off IR on Monday morning, but with Carolina on a short week, the Panthers will opt to go with Walker for at least one more contest while Darnold gets back to full speed.

Nov 7, 2022 11:27 AM EST


Benched, may cede starting role

Walker completed three of 10 passes for nine yards and two interceptions in Sunday's 42-21 loss to the Bengals. He added one rush for six yards.

Analysis: Coming off a few solid performances, Walker turned in a disastrous first half against the Bengals, with both of his interceptions giving Cincinnati a short field that led directly to touchdowns. As a result, he was benched in favor of Baker Mayfield for the final two quarters. After the game, interim coach Steve Wilks refused to name a starter for Carolina's Week 10 matchup against the Falcons on Thursday, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Walker's time as the team's starter may have come to a close.

Nov 6, 2022 5:34 PM EST


Will draw another start in Week 9

Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks said Monday that Walker will start again in Week 9 against the Bengals, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Walker drew a second straight start in Week 8, but aside from a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown at the end of regulation, the undrafted quarterback struggled mightily against Atlanta's poor defense. Baker Mayfield has moved past his high-ankle sprain, while Sam Darnold (ankle) remains out, though he was designated to return from IR ahead of Week 7. Despite encouraging developments from Mayfield and Darnold, Wilks will continue to roll with Walker for at least one more week. During his two starts, Walker has completed 60.3 percent of his passes for 494 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.

Oct 31, 2022 10:46 AM EST


Late 62-yard TD wasted

Walker completed 19 of 36 passes for 317 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 37-24 loss to Atlanta. He added a 20-yard scramble on his only rushing attempt.

Analysis: Walker was dreadful in the first half, completing only six of 15 passes for 67 yards and throwing a pick-six in the final minute before halftime. He heated up after halftime and appeared to produce the game-winning play by finding DJ Moore for a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown with 12 seconds left. Carolina subsequently missed the game-winning PAT attempt and a game-winning field-goal try in overtime, wasting Walker's bounce-back effort before Atlanta converted the game-winning kick. Despite coming up short in this one, Walker likely did enough to maintain the starting job in Week 9 against the Bengals.

Oct 30, 2022 2:09 PM EST


Expected to remain starter

Interim coach Steve Wilks said Monday that Walker will remain the starter in Week 8 against the Falcons regardless of the health of Baker Mayfield (ankle) or Sam Darnold (ankle), David Newton of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Walker has earned the starting job after a clean two-touchdown performance in Carolina's Week 7 upset win over the Buccaneers. Mayfield had been struggling prior to hurting his ankle, and Darnold was hardly better as the Panthers' starter last season, so another competent performance from Walker come Sunday could be enough to keep him cemented as the starter moving forward.

Oct 24, 2022 10:36 AM EST


Leads monumental upset win

Walker completed 16 of 22 passes for 177 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Panthers' 21-3 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.

Analysis: Walker managed to turn in what was arguably the best game of his career against about the biggest-name opponent possible, with the Temple product managing to outduel Tom Brady in one of the most improbable results of a season full of them thus far. He opened the scoring just before halftime with a 20-yard scoring strike to DJ Moore, and he ultimately salted the game with a perfectly thrown 29-yard touchdown pass to Tommy Tremble with 9:33 remaining. Baker Mayfield went into the weekend doubtful with his high-ankle sprain and was ultimately ruled inactive, and Sam Darnold (ankle) has already been designated for return from IR and began practicing this week. Therefore, Walker will likely need to put together another strong performance in a favorable Week 8 road matchup against the Falcons in order to have a chance to hold on to the starting role going into November.

Oct 23, 2022 3:36 PM EST


Set to start Sunday

Coach Steve Wilks confirmed Wednesday that Walker (neck) will start Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, David Newton of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Though Wilks noted that Sam Darnold (ankle) looked good in his return to practice Wednesday, the team will turn to Walker in Week 7, with Baker Mayfield dealing with an ankle injury. Jacob Eason is slated to serve as Walker's backup on Sunday, per Joe Person of The Athletic. Walker thus represents a short-term fantasy lineup option for those in QB-heavy formats or who are in need of a bye-week plug in.

Oct 19, 2022 11:58 AM EST


Ruled out with neck injury

Walker cleared the concussion protocol but has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Rams due to a neck injury, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Walker completed 10 of 16 passes for 60 yards and rushed once for minus-1 yard prior to being replaced by third-stringer Jacob Eason. He started in place of Baker Mayfield (ankle). Walker was originally evaluated for a head injury, but the injury appears to be to his neck instead.

Oct 16, 2022 4:20 PM EST


Being evaluated for head injury

Walker is being evaluated for a head injury Sunday against the Rams, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Analysis: Jacob Eason replaced the injured Walker under center in the second half. Walker completed 10 of 16 passes for only 60 yards and rushed once for minus-1 yard in a disastrous performance prior to getting hurt. Walker's return can be considered questionable at this time.

Oct 16, 2022 4:01 PM EST


Set to start Sunday

Coach Steve Wilks relayed Friday that Walker will start Sunday's game against the Rams, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Analysis: Meanwhile, Baker Mayfield (ankle) is listed as doubtful for the contest, but the Panthers haven't ruled out the possibility that he could suit up Sunday as a backup. Additionally, the team could elevate Jacob Eason from the practice squad ahead of Week 6 action. Walker thus represents a short-term fantasy option for those who roster Mayfield, are scrambling for a bye week plug-in or are simply looking to add depth in QB-heavy formats.

Oct 14, 2022 8:51 AM EST


In line to start Week 6

With Baker Mayfield likely out due to a high-ankle sprain, Walker is in line to start at quarterback for the Panthers' Week 6 matchup against the Rams on Sunday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Walker replaced Mayfield late in the team's Week 5 blowout loss to the 49ers and completed five of six passes for 60 yards. The undrafted quarterback out of Temple has appeared in nine games over the past two seasons with Carolina, but he's thrown just two touchdowns and eight interceptions. However, with Sam Darnold (ankle) and Matt Corral (foot) both already on injured reserve, the Panthers don't have many options to turn too. Look for Carolina to make multiple moves this week to shore up its quarterback depth, which will likely include adding Jacob Eason to the active roster from the practice squad.

Oct 10, 2022 10:15 AM EST


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