The Carolina Panthers are preparing to face the Green Bay Packers with Bryce Young returning as starting quarterback. Head coach Dave Canales confirmed on Friday that Young, who missed last week’s game due to injury, will start this week. Andy Dalton, who sustained a thumb injury during the loss to the Buffalo Bills, is set to serve as backup.
Young has participated fully in practice throughout the week and was not listed with any injury designation on the final report. “Better and better, handled the week really well,” Canales said when discussing Young’s mobility. “Each day just kind of ramped up some of the things we were exposing him to. He looked awesome, working with these guys, just getting in there, reading, communicating, and physically just looked like he’s ready to go.”
This marks only the second time Young has missed a game due to injury since joining the league; his first absence occurred during his rookie season.
Dalton managed limited practice sessions on Thursday and Friday despite his thumb issue. Canales expressed confidence in Dalton’s ability to back up this weekend: “Andy will be the backup this week; he demonstrated the ability to control the ball, throw it, really amazing, unbelievable. I’m very grateful that he’s able to play through stuff like this and wants to be there for his team. And he showed that. He threw well yesterday, came back today, threw well again, so excited to have that.”
Mike White was signed earlier in the week as an emergency third quarterback option. According to league rules for such situations , White can only play if both other quarterbacks are unable due to physical limitations.
Canales noted that having White available allows more flexibility with practice squad promotions given current injuries: “It gives us a great chance for him to be the emergency third on game day, and be able to count on him that way, especially just in the situation that we’re in,” Canales said. “And if it gets to that point, then I’ve got full confidence having you here for a couple of weeks, being able to work through things on the call sheet and the levels of comfortability with what we’re doing.”
