CHARLOTTE — Baker Mayfield loves proving people wrong.
So with reports circulating this week that he'd miss two to six weeks with an ankle injury, Mayfield might not miss much time, if any.
The Panthers listed him as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Rams, but that's a step up from what it appeared earlier in the week.
Mayfield was on the practice field Friday without a walking boot and did some running and throwing on the side. He also did a little dance in front of reporters during the period of practice open to the media, and had a smile on his face throughout the day.
Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks said PJ Walker (2-0 as a starter here) would still start Sunday's game against the Rams, but Mayfield could be active as the backup. Mayfield was getting another MRI today to determine the amount of progress he's made.
"The strength staff took him through a very intense workout," Wilks said of Mayfield. "Good movement, change of directions, trying to put some pressure on his foot and ankle. Threw the ball well, sprinting out right and left.
"He's a very tough guy, very tough, mentally tough as well. We're just going to wait and see the final report coming back from the MRI."
The Panthers could still elevate practice squad quarterback Jacob Eason as well, to give them more insurance at the position.
Check out the best photos from Thursday's practice as the Panthers prepare to take on the Rams this weekend.
WR - 12 - Shi Smith
TE - 82 - Tommy Tremble
LB - 40 - Brandon Smith
DE - 90 - Amaré Barno
T - 70 - Brady Christensen
G - 63 - Austin Corbett
DE - 97 - Yetur Gross-Matos
LB - 49 - Frankie Luvu
P - 10 - Johnny Hekker
T - 72 - Taylor Moton
RB - 33 - D'Onta Foreman
K - 4 - Eddy Piñeiro
S - 31 - Juston Burris
WR - 17 - Rashard Higgins
WR - 88 - Terrace Marshall Jr.
WR - 88 - Terrace Marshall Jr.
DT - 79 - Ikem Ekwonu
DT - 79 - Ikem Ekwonu
WR - 2 - D.J. Moore
WR - 2 - D.J. Moore
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
WR - 88 - Terrace Marshall Jr.
DE - 96 - Austin Larkin
DE - 90 - Amare Barno
DE - 53 - Brian Burns
DE - 94 - Henry Anderson
DE - 98 - Marquis Haynes
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
WR - 2 - D.J. Moore
WR - 88 - Terrace Marshall Jr.
DE - 98 - Marquis Haynes
TE - 45 - Giovanni Ricci
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
WR - 88 - Terrace Marshall Jr.
G - 73 - Mike Jordan
T - 75 - Cameron Erving
T - 79 - Ikem Ekwonu
T - 75 - Cameron Erving
T - 72 - Taylor Moton
T - 79 - Ikem Ekwonu
WR - 17 - Rashard Higgins
WR - 85 - Preston Williams
DT - 54 - Daviyon Nixon
LB - 7 - Shaq Thompson
WR - 3 - Robbie Anderson
RB - 22 - Christian McCaffrey
LB - 40 - Brandon Smith
DE - 53 - Brian Burns
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
WR - 3 - Robbie Anderson
WR - 3 - Robbie Anderson
WR - 3 - Robbie Anderson
WR - 88 - Terrace Marshall Jr.
WR - 17 - Rashard Higgins
DT - 99 - Matt Ioannidis
DT - 99 - Matt Ioannidis
DT - 71 - Phil Hoskins
DT - 71 - Phil Hoskins
LB - 38 - Myles Hartsfield
CB - 26 - Donte Jackson
LB - 38 - Myles Hartsfield
LB - 40 - Brandon Smith
DB - 38 - Myles Hartsfield
LB - 49 - Frankie Luvu
WR - 12 - Shi Smith
LB - 57 - Damien Wilson
LB - 57 - Damien Wilson
LB - 57 - Damien Wilson
WR - 18 - Andre Roberts
DB - 38 - Myles Hartsfield
QB - 11 - P.J. Walker
