Second-year quarterback Bryce Young returned to the Carolina Panthers starting lineup last week after veteran Andy Dalton suffered a sprained right thumb in a car accident.
The former No. 1 overall pick played okay in his first start since being benched in Week 3, completing 24-of-37 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions against a tough Denver Broncos defense.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Wednesday that Young will start in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. Dalton should be the backup.
#Panthers coach Dave Canales tells reporters that QB Bryce Young will start once again. Andy Dalton should be the backup. pic.twitter.com/exPcBhwj9C
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 30, 2024
Dalton returned to practice on Wednesday after missing last week’s game. The veteran QB took over for Young in Week 3, leading the Panthers to a shocking 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. But since that win, the Panthers lost their next four games with Dalton under center.
According to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer, Canales said he took the decision out of Dalton’s hands and was excited for Bryce to get another go.
Canales said he took the decision out of Dalton’s hands (he’s dealing with a thumb injury) and he said he’s excited for Bryce to get another go.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) October 30, 2024
He says Young will start this week and they’ll go from there. #Panthers https://t.co/au5OQh8kSD
If you are Young, this is a good opportunity to prove against a struggling Saints team that he should be the starter for the rest of the season. Young and the Panthers were blasted by the New Orleans Saints, 47-10, in Week 1.
The former Alabama star completed a disappointing 43.3 percent of his passes for 161 yards and two interceptions. The Panthers are 7.5-point home underdogs on DraftKings Sportsbook against the Saints.
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