P.J. Walker

What were some major observations from Carolina Panthers quarterback PJ Walker's performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo called his best game since joining the Carolina Panthers, allowing his quarterback to be creative and move the football downfield quickly. Carolina is now just one game behind, so all hope might not be lost in terms of the unlikeliest of divisional titles. [Walker](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalkPh00.htm) got the start with Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold working their way back from ankle injuries.

Walker performed so well that interim head coach Steve Wilks may not put Mayfield back into the starting spot when his ankle is healed.

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This coach speak and support of Walker is notable, as fellow QBs Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are both close to returning from injuries.

[Rumors](/nfl/rumors.php) - NFL [Panthers Correspondent](/nfl/team-news.php?team=CAR) [PJ Walker](/nfl/players/phillip-walker.php) [ from the starting QB job following his performance and upset win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. He almost certainly gives the team their best chance to continue winning games. [Dan Tursky](/news/correspondents/dan-tursky.php)

The Carolina Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 21-3 on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

2 finish in the [NJ.com](http://nj.com/) Top 20. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. [Ex-Jets coach slams disgruntled receiver Elijah Moore](https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/10/ex-jets-coach-slams-disgruntled-receiver-elijah-moore.html) It sounds like that’s enough to keep him around for now. That’s not my call. [See the best NJ Sports Betting sites](https://www.nj.com/betting/nfl/football-betting-sites.html) [Buccaneers’ Tom Brady is texting with possible presidential candidate, report says](https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/10/buccaneers-tom-brady-is-texting-with-potential-presidential-candidate-report-says.html) [Atlanta Falcons](https://www.atlantafalcons.com/) on Sunday at [Mercedes Benz Stadium](https://mercedesbenzstadium.com/) in Atlanta, Georgia. native](https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/08/panthers-will-start-nj-native-at-qb-vs-patriots.html) Walker was [NJ.com](http://nj.com/)’s offensive player of the year for Elizabeth High in 2012. [STUBHUB](https://fave.co/3f4tqZY), [VIVID SEATS](https://fave.co/3w74Hyv), [TICKETSMARTER](https://fave.co/3L8gWyK), [TICKETMASTER](https://fave.co/38nHaAb) [second consecutive start](https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/10/nj-native-qb-to-get-another-start-for-panthers.html) for the Panthers while [Baker Mayfield ](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3052587/baker-mayfield) and [Sam Darnold](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3912547/sam-darnold) both recover from ankle inuries, Walker completed 16-of-22 passes for 177 yards and a pair of touchdowns. [Carolina Panthers](https://www.panthers.com/) quarterback got the start again in Sunday’s 21-3 win over the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://www.buccaneers.com/).

P. J. Walker led the Carolina Panthers to victory on Sunday after holding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to just three points.

"I can't give you that answer,'' Wilks said bluntly. [Both Mayfield and Daronold](https://www.foxnews.com/sports/panthers-baker-mayfield-out-2-6-weeks-high-ankle-sprain-report) are out with high ankle sprains, but both could be available for another divisional game against the Atlanta Falcons. "Our focus was to do exactly what we did, regardless of who was in there, which really [was] trying to spread it out a bit and push the ball down the field – which I thought P. When you look at what he did today – still have to evaluate the tape – it's going to be hard to try to pull him out," Wilks said. After the much-needed win, interim head coach Steve Wilks told reporters it would be "hard" to pull Walker from the starting job once Mayfield and Darnold return. [The Carolina Panthers](https://www.foxnews.com/category/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers) entered Week 7 facing a grim quarterback situation, but backup quarterback P.

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) ...

Wilks was then asked by Darin Gantt of Panthers.com if Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold, both of whom could be in play against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, ...

And then two—based off his performance on Sunday, I wanna continue to go with PJ, until I get more information.” Wilks was then asked by Darin Gantt of Panthers.com if Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold, both of whom could be in play against the Atlanta Falcons this weekend, will factor into his decision. Walker connected on 16 of his 22 passing attempts for 177 yards, two touchdowns and zero turnovers in the 21-3 triumph.

It appears the ex-XFL quarterback PJ Walker has won himself at least one start after a strong game and win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8.

Walker has had chances before and not put up good numbers, but there’s little doubt he was key to the Panthers pulling off the upset last Sunday. Interim head coach Steve Wilks told reporters on Monday that he doesn’t see a reason not to start Walker in Week 8 no matter the health of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield, [per David Newton](https://twitter.com/DNewtonespn/status/1584598687761981440). Walker was outrageous on Sunday.

Interim coach Steve Wilks and players alike expressed their confidence in Walker, who is now 3-1 as a starter here.

"We've got to do a great job of coaching him up and understanding the situation." I'm a big believer in one game at a time, winning the day, and then taking that next step." [Chuba Hubbard](/team/players-roster/chuba-hubbard/) (ankle) or cornerback [CJ Henderson](/team/players-roster/c-j-henderson/) (arm) until he gets a medical report later in the week. "I want those guys to be at their full capacity physically and mentally," Wilks said. "You always want the quarterback to be confident, no matter what, or whoever's out there, so that was that." "It's going to be tough to not put him back in there," Wilks said Monday.

After spending time in the XFL, Walker signed with the Panthers in the 2020 season to reunite with Rhule, his college head coach. Through three seasons as a ...

Through the first five games, Mayfield went 1–4 with four touchdowns and four interceptions, while the team decided to fire its head coach. Through three seasons as a backup, Walker has played in 12 games, starting four, throwing for over 1,000 yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions. A week after Walker and the Panthers played conservatively vs.

Carolina Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker has apparently earned another start after beating Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Interim.

Walker, 27, has thrown for 297 yards on 31-of-44 passing with two scores and no picks in three games (two starts) this season. Walker completed 16 of 22 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the 21-3 victory over the Buccaneers. Interim coach Steve Wilks told reporters on Monday that Walker will likely be the starter in Week 8 — even if Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold are recovered from their ankle injuries.

Panthers interim head coach Steve Wilks said after Sunday's win over the Buccaneers that it will be hard to pull quarterback P.J. Walker out of the lineup ...

Walker](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/8260/pj-walker) out of the lineup and it doesn’t look like anyone’s going to try to do it this week. That uncertainty joins Walker’s performance in putting him in position to make another start. [Baker Mayfield](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/1873/baker-mayfield) and [Sam Darnold](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/10704/sam-darnold) were both practicing at the end of last week as they work to get back from ankle injuries and Wilks said he didn’t know if either player would be available this week.