Teddy Bridgewater is inactive for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. That sets it up for P.J. Walker to start at quarterback for the NFC South team.
The same P.J. Walker who starred for the Houston Roughnecks in the short-lived 2020 version of the XFL.
Walker went 5-0 in the XFL. He averaged 267.6 passing yards and three passing touchdowns per game. He had 24 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He led the league in passing yards (1,338) and touchdowns (15).
Bridgewater was placed on the inactive list after going through two rigorous pre-game sessions to test the right knee that was sprained a week ago in a loss to Tampa Bay.
This will be Walker’s first NFL start. He has played twice when Bridgewater has left with injuries, completing 3-of-8 pass attempts for 15 yards.
He played for Panthers coach Matt Rhule in college at Temple.