Andy Dalton was involved in a car accident Tuesday. While the Carolina starter did not need to be hospitalized, Dave Canales confirmed the veteran passer sustained a thumb sprain. Dalton is not expected to play against the Broncos in Week 8.
This will push Bryce Young back into action; Canales said the former No. 1 overall pick will be at the controls in Denver. Canales hopes Dalton can return as the backup, potentially pointing to a Young path back to the full-time QB1 role even when the more experienced passer is healthy. Regardless of how this will shake out, Young is coming back after five games on the bench.
Traveling with his wife, three kids and their dog, Dalton suffered the thumb injury in the accident — which occurred a few minutes away from Bank of America Stadium, David Newton of ESPN.com notes. Neither Dalton nor his family needed to be hospitalized as a result of the wreck, but the sprain involving the QB’s throwing thumb poses a problem for his availability. Dalton did not practice Wednesday.
Rumors suggesting the Panthers were done with Young circulated following his Week 3 benching. The 5-foot-10 QB struggled mightily to start his second season, marking no notable improvement from a rough rookie year. Canales had initially said Young would be back to start in Week 3, but upon closer inspection (and conversations with ownership), the new Carolina HC benched the player the franchise mortgaged its future for in 2023. Young has seen action since, and as the losses pile up (following a Dalton-led win over the Raiders), it makes sense for the 1-6 team to give the unproven player more time.
At least four teams contacted the Panthers about Young, but the team is not interested in trading the former Heisman winner. That said, rumblings about a separation in 2025 emerged soon after the benching, as Young was “pissed” about being pulled 18 starts into his career. The Panthers’ party line pointed to Young receiving another chance in 2024, labeling the benching a reset. But a report that came out soon after Canales’ call did not depict the demotion that way, with Dalton being viewed as the starter unless an injury intervened.
Dalton’s minor injury does give the Panthers another chance to look at Young. Carolina’s offense has fared better under Dalton, as Young’s most recent start featured 84 passing yards on 26 attempts. He went 13 of 30 in Week 1. While Deshaun Watson‘s QBR (23.5) ranks last among qualified options, Young holds a 10.4 number. Young’s 34.1 mark ranked ahead of only Zach Wilson in 2023, leading the Panthers — who made some shaky decisions in terms of weaponry around their new QB last year — to add several pieces this offseason. Dalton ranks 17th in QBR this season.
Despite Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette joining Adam Thielen at receiver and Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis coming in as high-priced guards, Young struggled to the point veterans complained about the state of the offense. That produced a strikingly quick hook, but Young’s second chance will begin soon. Denver’s defense has powered its operation this season, representing a tough spot for Young. Vance Joseph‘s unit ranks third in points and yards allowed.
I’ve seen this movie before lol
From last year, Desmond Ritter and Tylor hienake?
Lmao ritter
They’re already the worst team in football with Andy Dalton, who has no future as anything other than Andy Dalton. They might as well keep getting reps and looks at Young, even if they’re already looking to dump him. If nothing else, maybe some other team sees something they’re convinced they can fix.
Hasn’t Thielan been on IR?
Young should start the rest of the season. Give him this last chance to figure it out. Then go get your next QB at the top of next year’s draft. Starting Dalton again is pointless.
As everyone else has said, starting Dalton is pointless. I can understand sitting Young for a couple of games to take a break or learn stuff, but much like Fields before him, the only way to find out if he can play, is to play him.
Or just trade him. His value is not trending up.
Ouch. Probably the worst luck of the draw in terms of which team Young will be returning against.
I will say this, to play devil’s advocate-starting Dalton does offer one positive thing that’s certain on relation to Young. If Dalton plays well or contributes to Carolina’s execution, then he helps build the culture that Canales will need to be strong when the new QB arrives. Having that culture in place or beginning to build when a rookie comes in can only help set expectations and is the most overlooked part of rebuilding a team.