Panthers-Rams live updates: Carolina falls to Los Angeles as PJ Walker goes down injured
Live updates from the stadium
PJ Walker evaluated for head injury
Jacob Eason has taken over at QB for the Panthers this quarter. CJ Henderson is also out for the Panthers, who are as much of a MASH unit as any team in the NFL. Walker was determined not to have a concussion, but he did have a neck injury. Eason threw an end-zone interception on the Panthers’ best chance to score a touchdown deep in the fourth quarter, and the game ended with a 24-10 Los Angeles win. Carolina drops to 1-5. The Panthers were outscored 17-0 in the second half.
Rams extend lead in fourth quarter
Darrell Henderson bowls his way into the end zone from 2 yards out with 5:17 left in the fourth quarter to add a TD to the Rams’ total. Given the cadence of this game, a 14-point deficit for the Panthers at this juncture isn’t lights out, but it feels like it. Rams lead, 24-10.
Rams take a third-quarter lead
The Rams came back firing with a touchdown late in the third quarter. The Rams scored on a gadget play where wide receiver Ben Skowronek took a hand off from Matt Stafford and ran 17 yards to the end zone. The Panthers trail the Rams, 17-10, to start the fourth quarter.
Donte Jackson injured in third quarter
Starting cornerback Donte Jackson suffered an ankle injury during the third quarter. Jackson, who had a pick-six in the second quarter, is questionable to return to the game.
The Panthers made a stop on third down at the three-yard line, which led to a 21-yard field goal attempt by Rams kicker Matt Gay. The game is tied 10-10 with 4:37 left in the third quarter.
Donte Jackson bounces back with big play
After giving up a touchdown to Allen Robinson, cornerback Donte Jackson made the play of the first half on Sunday when he picked off quarterback Matt Stafford and returned the ball to the end zone for a pick-six. The touchdown put the Panthers up, 10-7, ahead of halftime and gave the Panthers their third defensive touchdown in four games.
Rams get on the board with Allen Robinson touchdown
The Rams took the lead over the Panthers with 3:34 remaining in the first half. After allowing a first down on third-and-16 to running back Darrell Henderson, the Panthers’ defense gave up its first points of the game. Rams quarterback Matt Stafford lofted a five-yard floater to wideout Allen Robinson, who skied over cornerback Donte Jackson for a touchdown grab. The Panthers trail 7-3 with three minutes left in the second quarter.
Panthers defense stonewalls Rams, LA left tackle carted off
For a second consecutive drive, the Panthers pulled the plug on the Rams’ offense. On a third-and-1 rushing attempt by Rams running back Malcolm Brown, defensive tackle Derrick Brown and defensive end Henry Anderson jumped the line and brought the tailback down for a loss to force a punt with the Rams backed up against their own goal line.
Rams left tackle Joe Noteboom was carted off with an ankle injury after the stop by the Panthers. His return is considered “doubtful.”
Mayfield has torn ligament in ankle, per FOX
According to FOX sideline reporter Laura Okmin, QB Baker Mayfield underwent an MRI this week and on Friday it was revealed he has a torn ligament in his ankle. That could mean that Week 6 starter P.J. Walker is the starter for the foreseeable future.
Mayfield injured his ankle during the first half of the Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, but gutted it out with the injury through the majority of the second half while leading three consecutive scoring drives.
Panthers score on first drive
Carolina got three points on its first drive, which featured a heavy dose of running back Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers are making an obvious effort to run the ball and had all three of its primary running backs touch the ball on its first possession. An illegal block in the back by rookie left tackle Ickey Ekwonu short-circuited the drive, but Eddy Pineiro salvaged points with a 42-yard field goal.
On the drive, McCaffrey had 58 total yards — 27 on four carries, and 31 on three receptions. PJ Walker went 4-for-5 for 32 yards, with all the throws very safe. Shi Smith dropped Walker’s only incompletion, continuing Smith’s occasional problem with drops.
Rams without starting running back
On Friday, the Rams announced Cam Akers would not be available due to personal reasons. He is inactive on Sunday. Darrell Henderson will start in his place. The Rams will also be without center Brian Allen.
Panthers missing three key starters
The Panthers will be without starting linebacker Frankie Luvu (shoulder), cornerback Jaycee Horn and quarterback Baker Mayfield against the Rams on Sunday. All three were among the Panthers’ inactive players ahead of the 4:05 p.m. kickoff.
Wideout Laviska Shenault, defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon, guard Cade Mays and defensive end Amare Barno also will not play.
Quarterback Jacob Eason will back up PJ Walker
With Mayfield inactive, practice squad quarterback Jacob Eason was elevated to the active roster. He will serve as the team’s only backup. Walker is 2-0 as a starter in his career for the Panthers, and Carolina will be hoping he stays healthy the entire game. Walker was technically the team’s fourth-string quarterback for much of training camp, but the three QBs in front of him have all gotten hurt.
.JPG "PanthersRamsFootball (1).JPG")
How to watch/odds
Who’s playing?: Carolina Panthers (1-4) at Los Angeles Rams (2-3)
When: 4 p.m.
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
TV: FOX
Online: FOX Sports App; fuboTV
Odds: Per SportsLine, the Rams are a consensus 10-point favorite. The money line sees Carolina at +345, with the Rams at -455. The over/under point total is 41.5. Both teams are 1-4 against the spread this season.
This story was originally published October 16, 2022 at 3:22 PM.
