Panthers waive former top pick Mayfield
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The short-lived Baker Mayfield era is over in Carolina.
The Panthers waived the struggling quarterback on Monday after the 2018 No. 1 draft pick asked for his release. Mayfield would be subject to waivers and become a free agent if he goes unclaimed.
The move does not come as a surprise, because Sam Darnold replaced Mayfield after his failed second stint as starting quarterback, and the Panthers like what they have in backup P.J. Walker. The move gives Mayfield a chance to potentially land with a team that needs quarterback help.
San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson all suffered injuries over the weekend.
Panthers interim coach
Steve Wilks said Mayfield asked for his release once he informed the quarterbacks that Darnold would be the team’s starter and Walker would be the backup this Sunday at Seattle.
“Baker has been nothing
but a professional since he’s been here, a complete pro,” Wilks said. “I have tremendous respect for him.”
Wilks said he made the decision to go with Walker over Mayfield as the backup after “looking at
the body of work the last couple of weeks. I felt P.J. has been productive when he was in there.”
Mayfield was 1-5 as Carolina’s starting QB and completed just 57.8 percent of his passes, having six touchdowns and six interceptions. He also struggled with tipped passes at the line of scrimmage. The Panthers are last in the league in thirddown conversions.
Browns’ Takitaki out for the season
Cleveland’s linebacking corps took another major hit as starter Sione Takitaki will miss the remainder of the season after tearing a knee ligament during Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans.
Takitaki had started the past five games and played solidly for the Browns (5-7), who previously lost starters Anthony Walker Jr. (quadriceps) and Jacob Phillips (pectoral) to season-ending injuries.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said the 27-year-old Takitaki tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the Browns’ 27-14 victory.
“Very disappointing,” Stefanski said Monday on his Zoom call. “Disappointed for Tak. He had been playing at a really, really high level for us and playing a lot for us. Just disappointed for the young man.”
Jackson on IR; Fisher signed
The Miami Dolphins have placed right tackle Austin Jackson on injured reserve and signed 2013 No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher to address injury issues along their offensive line.
Jackson injured his right ankle against Houston in Week 12 and missed Sunday’s loss to San Francisco. He will go on injured reserve for the second time this season after a high ankle sprain kept him out nine games.
Jackson suffered a separate injury to the same ankle and will miss at least the next four games.
Fisher will take Jackson’s roster spot, though it isn’t clear yet where the Dolphins will use him.