South Charlotte Today

Andy Dalton, a seasoned NFL quarterback, is adjusting to his role as a backup for the upcoming game. Dalton has experienced various roles throughout his 14-year career, including being a franchise player and a second-stringer. This week, head coach Dave Canales announced that Bryce Young would start, with Dalton serving as his backup.

Canales emphasized that Young's starting position is currently only decided for this week, with future decisions pending. Reflecting on his career experiences, Dalton stated, "There's a lot that I have been through in my career and a lot of different situations that I've been in...I just think mentally and for my family and for everybody, we're in a good place right now."

Dalton's recent thumb injury from a car accident influenced the decision to bench him this week. He acknowledged Canales' choice to remove the decision from his hands due to the injury. "I enjoy every time I get to be out there," Dalton expressed. "For me, obviously, I want to be out there...But when I'm not, I'm out there supporting Bryce."

During discussions with Canales about his status, Dalton was candid about his condition but accepted the coach's final decision. "I let him know my thoughts and how I felt," he said. Despite feeling ready to play, he understood Canales' preference for an additional week of rest.

Dalton recounted realizing the severity of his injury after attempting to pick up a football at home post-accident. However, playing catch with smaller balls helped him gauge his recovery progress. "The first thing I did when I got home was I tried to grab a football...I knew that wasn't a good thing," he noted.

Dalton credited the team's staff for aiding in reducing swelling and aiding his recovery process through simple activities like playing catch with his children.