Andy

Dalton

Dalton is dealing with a right thumb injury and was listed as questionable. He will back up Bryce Young today. Inactive for the Panthers are OLB Princely Umanmielen, WR Hunter Renfrow, QB Mike White, C Cade Mays, TE James Mitchell, and DT Cam Jackson.

It sounds like the Panthers are still managing Young to some extent — they were eager to see how he’d perform on their hardest practice of the week — but he looks like a good bet to start on Sunday from here. Andy Dalton (thumb) got in a limited session after not practicing on Wednesday. Mike White was signed to the active roster today and most reporters mentioned Dalton, not Young, as the likely scratch in the scenario that White is active.

Bryce Young practiced in full after missing Week 8 with an ankle injury. All signs point to Young drawing the start in Week 9 against the Packers. Superflex managers can safely send Dalton back to the waiver wire.

Dalton also took seven sacks and fumbled twice on the day. It was truly one of the worst performances you’re going to see from a quarterback, especially one who has been pretty solid throughout his entire career. Dalton just seemed like he had no chemistry with any of his receivers and looked fully uncomfortable in the pocket behind an offensive line that lost three starters due to injury. There is no quarterback controversy here, and Bryce Young should start next week against the Packers if his ankle is up to the task.

Bryce Young (ankle, doubtful) hasn’t officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game, but we can see the writing on the wall here. Young is dealing with a high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 7’s win over the Jets, and could be at risk of missing more than just one game. With Young set to be ruled out at some point before kickoff, the Panthers will pivot to Andy Dalton, who has thrown for 118 yards and one touchdown on 13 pass attempts. Dalton will have some appeal in 2QB/superflex leagues but shouldn’t be trusted in 1QB formats.

This was to be expected after Young failed to take the practice field during the first two days of the week. Before that, it was reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that Young’s injury was the kind that “is generally a 2-4 week injury,” setting an early precedent that the Panthers’ QB1 would miss at least one game, and perhaps multiple. The doubtful designation foreshadows Young being ruled out sooner or later, paving the way for Andy Dalton to start vs. the Bills. Dalton could be on the fantasy radar for superflex or 2QB leagues with six teams on bye this week.

Young instead worked with trainers off to the side, using resistance bands and lightly jogging before taking a “couple” of dropbacks and doing some “easy throwing.” Young is not expected to play this week after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 7. Today’s absence only furthers that notion. Andy Dalton will be asked to start in Young’s stead.

According to Pelissero, Young’s injury is the type that “is generally a 2-4 week injury,” but he adds that the Panthers are hopeful he could be back after just one game. Young’s practice availability throughout the coming weeks will tell us everything we need to know regarding his outlook come game day, but it doesn’t come as much of a surprise to hear he is expected to miss Sunday’s game against the Bills. Assuming Young does miss, Andy Dalton would make his first start of the 2025 season.

Dalton came in for Bryce Young after Young sustained an apparent ankle injury in the second half and managed the offense well in a low-scoring affair against an opponent that didn’t pose much of a threat. One of the better backups QBs in the league, Dalton should be picked up in superflex leagues this week in case Young misses time with his injury. Dalton would take on a beatable Bills secondary if he gets the Week 8 start.

Young’s foot seemed to stick in the turf on a fourth quarter sack and he was escorted to the Carolina locker room soon thereafter. Any Dalton took over for Young and would likely start for the Panthers if Young misses time with the injury. Young threw for 128 yards and a touchdown before he went down.