Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales named Bryce Young as the team’s starting quarterback for Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints. The announcement comes as quarterback Andy Dalton returns to practice but continues to rehab a thumb injury sustained during a car crash. Dalton threw passes during Wednesday’s practice, according to Canales, but the head coach is giving Dalton an extra week to recover in order to make a proper evaluation.
“For me, I just erred on the side of caution,” Canales told the media Wednesday after announcing Young as starter. “I wanted to get Andy [Dalton] in the best possible situation to be able to make a decision going forward.
“Also, I’m excited for Bryce [Young] to have an opportunity to build off some of the things that he did last week. Certainly things to work on, but a lot of good stuff that he did too.”
While Young is the starting quarterback for Week 9, his role is not guaranteed beyond this week. The team will make further evaluations at quarterback as the season progresses and Dalton returns to full health.
Dave Canales did not guarantee Bryce Young would start beyond this week. Said they’ll evaluate all the info., including Andy Dalton’s health and Young’s performance vs. Saints. https://t.co/CQSe4w7hNZ
— Joe Person (@josephperson) October 30, 2024
Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft who was benched after Week 2, regained the starting job after Dalton was sidelined with his thumb injury. His performance in the Week 8 was largely in line with the struggles he’s had since his rookie season, outside of a 98-yard touchdown drive orchestrated while the Broncos were playing prevent defense. Over the last two seasons, Young has a 2-19 record when starting, completing less than 60 percent of his career passes (59.8 percent) with more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (13).
Young last started against the New Orleans Saints in the team’s season opener — a 47-10 loss for the Panthers. The second-year quarterback finished the afternoon 13-for-30 with 161 passing yards, four sacks and two interceptions.
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(Photo: C. Morgan Engel / Getty Images)
