South Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE – The decision on whether Bryce Young will play in the Carolina Panthers' final preseason game against the Buffalo Bills remains uncertain. Head coach Dave Canales must decide this week if Young and the starters will take the field, following two preseason games where Young has not played.

"I am open to playing our guys this week," Canales stated after practice. "We have to look at what does that group look like if we put everybody out there? Are there enough of those guys to say, man, this is valuable for us to get these reps."

Young expressed confidence in the coaching staff's decisions ahead of Saturday's game. "Obviously, (the coaches) manage the team, they know what they're doing, so, for me and for us, we trust whatever it is that they want to do and whatever their coaches calls are, we're going to be ready for that."

Canales emphasized that any decision about playing starters would be made independently of other teams' strategies. Despite the Bills' announcement that their starters will not play and many teams choosing not to play their starting quarterbacks during preseason, Canales intends to make a decision based solely on his team's needs.

"They handled a significant volume that we threw at them today," Canales said. "So I was really excited about their response."

Last season, Young played 54 snaps in the preseason as a rookie. Under a new head coach and scheme this year, he remains confident about being ready for Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.

The Panthers completed installing their offense ten days ago, allowing Young and his teammates time to adapt. With OTAs and training camp concluded, Young feels "very comfortable in the offense," which aligns with his strengths.

"I think we do a great job of taking what the defense gives but also dictating the terms of what we want to do," he noted.

A joint practice with the New York Jets last week provided valuable experience for Young and the offense. However, some aspects can only be fully experienced in a live game setting.

"Operation," Canales said regarding what he'd focus on if Young plays Saturday. "Just want to see things run smoothly...the communication...all that stuff that is so valuable."

The Panthers placed quarterback Jake Luton on Injured Reserve Monday before next week's 53-man roster cutdown. This leaves three quarterbacks: Young, Andy Dalton (who missed two weeks with a quad injury), and rookie Jack Plummer. Plummer has taken most snaps in the first two games.

Asked if Luton's injury would impact Saturday's lineup decisions, Canales responded, "it could," indicating further evaluation of Dalton is needed throughout the week while confirming Plummer will play.

Whether Bryce Young will join him remains undecided but won't affect his preparation or outlook. "I trust in the coaching staff," Young affirmed. "They have our best interests at heart."