Panthers to start Darnold at QB vs. Broncos

The Carolina Panthers are making another change at quarterback.

Carolina will start Sam Darnold on Sunday against the Denver Broncos, the team announced.

Darnold gets the nod over Baker Mayfield, who struggled in a 13-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. Mayfield joined the team in a trade from the Cleveland Browns in the offseason and began the 2022 campaign as the starter but lost the role to P.J. Walker.

Walker was inactive against Baltimore with a high ankle sprain.

Darnold will be Carolina's third different starting quarterback this season. Mayfield and Walker have started six and five games, respectively.

The 25-year-old Darnold, whom the team acquired in a trade with the New York Jets last year, struggled in his first season with the Panthers. He passed for only nine touchdowns against 13 interceptions in 12 appearances. Carolina went 4-7 with Darnold under center.

The 2018 third overall pick, who's yet to attempt a pass in 2022, has a 17-32 record as a starter throughout his career.

The 3-8 Panthers currently sit fourth in the NFC South. They've averaged only 18.8 points per game, ranking 25th.