With starting quarterback Sam Darnold missing due to injury, the Carolina Panthers are relying on former XFL star P.J. Walker. In his second ever NFL start, the playmaker could put a real exclamation mark on the game. But Cam Newton could throw a wrench in his plans.

Munich – It sounds macabre, but the injury to starting quarterback Sam Darnold comes at just the right time for the Carolina Panthers.

Darnold injury anticipates decision

The playmaker has been declining from game to game in recent weeks, with the rookie even being benched by the New York Jets in Week 7 due to his poor performances. Then against the New England Patriots on the last game day, the complete collapse occurred.

Darnold ended up with 172 passing yards and three hair-raising interceptions. The fact that he suffered a shoulder injury and will miss about four weeks made the coaching staff decide to put Darnold on the bench for sporting reasons for the time being.

For the time being, the 24-year-old will be replaced by a rather inexperienced quarterback in the form of backup P.J. Walker. In only his second game starting, the former XFL star has the chance to make a lasting impression in Carolina. However, he doesn’t have much time as Cam Newton shakes things up again in Carolina.

P.J. Walker wants to bring new energy to the Panthers

Head coach Matt Rhule didn’t hesitate long before signing Newton, naming Walker as the starting quarterback for the clash against the favoured Arizona Cardinals shortly after Darnold’s injury was announced. For the time being, Newton’s arrival has not changed that.

So all eyes are still on Walker. After his stint in the XFL ended, the 26-year-old signed on as a backup with the Panthers last year.

In his second stint as a starter, he will be looking to recall his successful days in the minor league. “If I’m honest, I’ll be thinking back to my days in the XFL,” the signal caller told the pre-match press conference.

“I had a lot of fun back then and felt great enthusiasm. I want to transfer that to my teammates now because they need that at the moment,” he continued. After three wins to open the season, the Carolina franchise won just one of its next five games and stands at a record of 4-5.

Despite all the enthusiasm, the New York native doesn’t want to overdo it, “I just want to do my job and not push too much. When you do way too much, things usually go down the drain. I’m going to go out and lead the guys and just have fun. “

On course for MVP in the XFL

The reason the Panthers took notice of Walker in the first place in 2020 was due to his performance in the XFL, in addition to his connection to his former college coach Rhule. As a playmaker for the Houston Roughnecks, he led his team to a 5-0 record before the league had to shut down due to the Corona pandemic.

With 15 touchdowns thrown and only four interceptions, he was also personally on course for MVP and was considered one of the best players in WWE founder Vince McMahon’s former league. The XFL is set to return in 2023, co-led by US superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Starter duel with Cam Newton?

By the time that happens, Walker could already be in other spheres. Could. Because the road towards starter has become a little surprisingly rocky for him: After all, returnee Newton is also aiming for the starter’s job.

Advantage Walker: Since Newton hasn’t played a game in the NFL for almost a year, it is questionable whether he will get on the field directly as a starter.

Darnold injured and in lousy form, Newton without game practice: P.J. Walker is currently benefiting above all from the weakness of the actual top dogs, but remains the challenger.

For him, the game against the Cardinals is therefore probably one of the few chances to prove his potential.

If he manages a surprise win against Arizona, however, he could even emerge as the favourite in the three-way battle with Darnold and Newton in the course of the season.