Panthers coach Dave Canales confirms Bryce Young will start Sunday vs. Broncos

The Carolina Panthers return to Bryce Young this week for the game against the Denver Broncos. The struggling quarterback was benched prior to Week 3 and has since made two appearances in relief of Andy Dalton. With the veteran nursing a sprained thumb, Young gets his second chance.

Andy Dalton and his family were in a car accident on Tuesday. No one was seriously injured, but the veteran quarterback, who played the last five games for Carolina, suffered a sprained thumb. He won’t start, but the team is hopeful he’ll be healthy enough to play as a backup if needed.

“Unfortunately he sprained his thumb in the accident, so Bryce will be playing for us this week. We will evaluate Andy daily this weekend to see if we can get him back on his feet as the two.” game day.”

– Dave Canales

Young showed flashes during a relief performance in a blowout against the Chicago Bears. He drove the team into the red zone and made plays that he simply wasn’t in the first two games of the season. While Dalton seemed to regress somewhat to the mean over the past game and a half, the calls for the second-year player’s return have grown louder.

Canales reiterated after Sunday’s 40-7 loss that Dalton was the starter, but an injury forced his hand. He has to play against Young on Sunday. With the trade deadline approaching, this could be an opportunity for the Panthers to evaluate their future. They could see his trade stock rise and send him elsewhere, or use that as evidence that he can be their starter in 2025 and beyond.

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