Panthers QB Baker Mayfield (ankle) returns to practice

Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield returned to practice Thursday for the first time since sustaining a high-ankle sprain in Week 5.

Mayfield did not participate in practice Wednesday, the same day that the Panthers designated quarterback Sam Darnold to return from injured reserve.

Mayfield sat out the Panthers' 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday. Third-string quarterback PJ Walker sustained a neck injury in that contest. However, Walker didn't appear on the injury report Wednesday and is expected to start this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mayfield reportedly was expected to miss anywhere from two to six weeks with the ankle injury.

Regardless of when he's able to return to game action, there's no guarantee he'll be reinstated as the starter. Interim head coach Steve Wilks was asked point blank about it earlier this week.

"I can't give you that answer,'' Wilks said Monday. "But I can tell you right now those guys [in the quarterback room] are going to compete at that position just as well as other positions to see who exactly goes out there on Sunday."

Mayfield has completed just 54.9 percent of his passes for 962 yards, with four TDs and four picks in five games this season, his first in Carolina.

The Panthers have 21 days to put Darnold back on the 53-man roster. He's not on the injury report for Week 7 since he's not yet on the active roster.

Darnold threw for 2,527 yards with nine touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 12 games last season for the Panthers.

He has completed 59.8 percent of his passes with 54 touchdowns and 52 picks in 50 career games with the New York Jets and Panthers. He was selected by the Jets with the third overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.