Despite Baker Mayfield's struggles with the NFL's lowest-ranked offense, the Carolina Panthers will not be able to turn to Sam Darnold anytime soon.
Darnold is eligible to be activated off injured reserve Monday but is not close to being fully recovered from the high ankle sprain he suffered in late August, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said Monday that Darnold won't be ready to come off IR this week, but said, «maybe next week.'' Mayfield has the NFL's lowest QBR through four weeks at 15.4, and his 55.4 completion percentage is third worst in the league, only better than two 2021 first-round draft picks — the Chicago Bears' Justin Fields (50.7) and the San Francisco 49ers' Trey Lance (48.4), who is out for the season with an ankle injury.
Sunday's 26-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals dropped the Panthers to 1-3. Mayfield committed three turnovers, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble.