Panthers HC Dave Canales gives his thoughts on Bryce Young’s performance in Week 8

Panthers HC Dave Canales on Bryce Young’s Week 8 performance: “We’re just asking Bryce to do his one part of it, and I thought he did a pretty good of that today.”

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales didn’t give us a definitive answer as to who’ll be starting under center in Week 9. He was, however, willing to give his thoughts on the performance of his Week 8 starter Bryce Young.

Canales spoke with reporters following his team’s 28-14 loss to the Denver Broncos—where Young was, well, mostly underwhelming. In his first start since Week 2, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick completed 24 of his 37 throws for 224 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

So, how did he look according to Canales?

“I thought he had some excellent drives, I thought he had some excellent throws in there,” he said. “I think the offense will be the first to tell you—there were some things all across the board, in the run game and the pass game. We’re just asking Bryce to do his one part of it, and I thought he did a pretty good of that today.”

The Panthers finished the afternoon having converted on five of their 14 third-down tries with 16 first downs and 284 total yards. That’s not too shabby against a Broncos defense that allowed the fewest yards per game coming into the weekend.

Young, who was without the offense’s top two receivers in Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, recorded 224 net yards—the most allowed by Denver all season.

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Dave Canales is asked who Panthers will start at QB in Week 9

Will it be Bryce Young or Andy Dalton under center for the Panthers in Week 9? HC Dave Canales was asked that question following Sunday’s loss in Denver.

Did Bryce Young do enough on Sunday to reclaim the starting job under center?

Week 8 brought some familiar results for the Carolina Panthers, as they took a 28-14 loss courtesy of the host Denver Broncos. The outing also saw some familiar results for Young, who led a mostly stagnant offense in yet another underwhelming performance.

Head coach Dave Canales, however, was asked if Young will remain the team’s starter over Andy Dalton for Week 9.

“We will look at all the information,” Canales replied. “We’ll look at Andy’s health over the next couple of days, and we’ll make that decision and we’ll have an answer for you in the next couple of days.”

Dalton, who started Carolina’s previous five games, was sidelined due to a sprained right thumb he sustained in a minor car accident this past Tuesday. In his last contest before the injury, Dalton completed just 11 of 18 passes for 93 yards and two interceptions in a 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders.

Young, in his stead, fared a bit better. In his first start since Week 2, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick connected on 24 of his 37 throws for 224 yards, two scores and two picks against a tough Denver defense.

The 1-7 Panthers will return home for Week 9 to host the 2-6 New Orleans Saints.

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Panthers Week 8 inactives: 7 players ruled out vs. Broncos

The Panthers will be without a few key offensive weapons in Denver this afternoon.

If Bryce Young wants to make a statement in the Mile High City this afternoon, he’ll have to do it without the help of a few key weapons.

The Carolina Panthers have ruled seven players as inactive for their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos, including wideout Diontae Johnson. Johnson will miss his first game of the campaign due to a rib injury.

With the Panthers at 1-6 and the trade deadline just a little over a week away, Johnson’s absence has raised some speculation about a possible deal. Head coach Dave Canales was asked on Friday if the decision to hold Johnson out relates to preserving a move of the one-time Pro Bowler.

“Those are all conversations that Dan [Morgan] and Brandt [Tilis] will handle,” Canales replied. “For me, it’s like, I wanna do the best thing for Diontae, the best thing for the offense and the continuity of what we’re trying to get done. And the fact that he couldn’t get back on the field this week, I felt confident about the guys being able to step in there and do it.”

The Panthers will also be without last year’s leading receiving Adam Thielen, who is still on his way back from a hamstring strain. Thielen was designated to return to practice on Wednesday, but has yet to be activated to the main roster.

Here is the full list of inactives on the day for Carolina:

  • CB Shemar Bartholomew
  • RB Jonathon Brooks
  • QB Andy Dalton
  • CB Dane Jackson
  • WR Diontae Johnson
  • OT Yosh Nijman
  • S Jammie Robinson

And for Denver:

  • CB Kris Abrams-Draine
  • TE Greg Dulcich
  • S P.J. Locke
  • OT Alex Palczewski
  • OLB Dondrea Tillman
  • DL Eyioma Uwazurike
  • QB Zach Wilson

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Broncos injury report: Starting defensive back doubtful for Panthers game

Broncos DB P.J. Locke (thumb) is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

After practicing in all three sessions this week, Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) appears to be on track to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, but another starting defensive back is listed as doubtful to play in Week 8.

Broncos safety P.J. Locke left Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury and he did not participate in the Thursday or Friday sessions. He is officially considered doubtful for Sunday’s game.

Devon Key would be the next man up at safety across from Brandon Jones. Denver also has JL Skinner and Keidron Smith on the active roster, plus Tanner McCalister on the practice squad.

As for the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) is also listed as doubtful. After Dalton injured his thumb in a car crash on Tuesday, the Panthers will start Bryce Young against the Broncos on Sunday.

Elsewhere on Carolina’s injury report, wide receivers Diontae Johnson (ribs) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) have also been ruled out.

View the Broncos’ complete injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited DNP DNP Doubtful
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Limited Full
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited Limited Limited Questionable
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP Full Full

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS. The Broncos are considered big favorites against the Panthers going into Week 8.

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Panthers Week 8 injury report: Top 2 WRs ruled out vs. Broncos

The Panthers won’t have WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen for Sunday’s matchup in Denver.

Bryce Young will have to make do without the Carolina Panthers’ top two pass catchers in his return under center.

The team has ruled out wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen from Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. Johnson (ribs) leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three) while Thielen—last year’s leading receiver—is still working his way back from a hamstring injury.

Carolina will also be without outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quad) and safeties Jordan Fuller (hamstring), Nick Scott (hamstring) and Jammie Robinson (knee).

Here’s the full injury report from Friday:

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP DNP Doubtful
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP Limited Doubtful
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP DNP Out
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited Limited Doubtful
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited Limited Out
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited Limited Questionable
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited Limited Questionable
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full Full
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited Full
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited DNP Out
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited Full Questionable
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP Limited Out
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full Full Questionable
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full Full Questionable
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full Full Questionable
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP DNP Out
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full Full
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP DNP

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Broncos release Thursday injury report: Pat Surtain status update

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (concussion) practiced again on Thursday. Panthers QB Andy Dalton (thumb) did not practice.

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) practiced again on Thursday and he seems to be on track to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, although that has not yet been officially confirmed.

Broncos coach Sean Payton said Surtain’s outlook “looks positive” after the cornerback was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach (illness) was back at practice but safety P.J. Locke did not participate Thursday after leaving Wednesday’s practice with a thumb injury.

As for the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) was held out of practice again on Thursday. Dalton injured his thumb in a car crash on Tuesday, so the Panthers are set to start Bryce Young against the Broncos in Week 8.

View the Broncos’ complete injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited DNP
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited Limited
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited Limited
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP Full

Denver will hold one more practice on Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s showdown with the Panthers.

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Panthers WR Diontae Johnson misses 2nd straight practice on Thursday

Panthers WR Diontae Johnson has now missed two practices in a row due to a rib injury.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young may not have his offense’s top target in his return under center on Sunday.

Wideout Diontae Johnson did not participate in Thursday’s practice due to a rib injury. The sixth-year receiver was also held out of Wednesday’s session.

Johnson currently leads the Panthers in targets (58), receptions (30), receiving yards (357) and receiving touchdowns (three).

Here’s the team’s full injury report for Thursday . . .

Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game status
QB Andy Dalton Right thumb DNP DNP
CB Dane Jackson Hamstring DNP DNP
WR Diontae Johnson Rib/rest DNP DNP
DL A’Shawn Robinson Knee DNP Limited
S Nick Scott Hamstring DNP DNP
RB Jonathon Brooks Knee Limited Limited
LB Claudin Cherelus Hamstring Limited Limited
S Jordan Fuller  Hamstring Limited Limited
LB Josey Jewell Hamstring/groin Limited Limited
OT Taylor Moton Elbow Limited Limited
OT Yosh Nijman Knee Limited Limited
LB Jon Rhattigan Knee Limited Full
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders Groin/wrist Limited Limited
WR Adam Thielen Hamstring Limited Limited
TE Tommy Tremble Back Limited Limited
OLB D.J. Wonnum Quadriceps Limited DNP
OLB Jadeveon Clowney Shoulder Limited Full
DL Jaden Crumedy Ankle Full Full
S Sam Franklin Jr. Personal/foot DNP Full
S Jammie Robinson Knee Limited DNP
RB Raheem Blackshear Shoulder Full Full
K Eddy Piñeiro Personal DNP

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Panthers name a new starting quarterback a week before playing Saints

The Panthers are shuffling quarterbacks a week before the Saints travel to Carolina. Is the move permanent or temporary?

If you were looking forward to the Andy Dalton revenge game next week, I’m sorry to disappoint you. The Carolina Panthers are returning to Bryce Young as the starter for at least the Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos. That means when the New Orleans Saints make the journey to Carolina they’ll take on Young yet again.

Dalton was involved in a car crash earlier this week. Everyone involved walked away safely, but Dalton sprained his thumb in the crash. Insert Bryce Young.

Dave Canales benched Young early in the season. It didn’t take the first year head coach long to give up on the second year quarterback. After just two games, Canales made the decision to change quarterbacks.

One of those games was against the Saints. Young averages 150 passing yards a game against them over his career. New Orleans will gladly take on Young again.

Canales says Carolina is monitoring Dalton’s condition to see if he’ll be able to be the backup this upcoming week. Don’t close the door on Dalton playing against New Orleans. It’ll depend on his recovery process.

At the same time, Young has stepped in in each of the last two games. This could be a road to him earning his starting job back.

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Is Panthers QB Bryce Young now on his last chance in Carolina?

Sunday could be an all-or-nothing type of outing for Panthers QB Bryce Young.

We have just started yet another chapter in the ever-intriguing story of the 2024 Carolina Panthers.

On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales announced that 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young will get the starting nod in the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. This decision comes as a result of the right thumb injury to veteran Andy Dalton, who was involved in a minor car accident yesterday.

Young was benched just two weeks into the regular season, after displaying an alarming lack of confidence as a passer in a pair of lackluster starts. The flashes from a lowly 2023 rookie campaign, unfortunately, would prove to be exactly that—as the 23-year-old seemingly regressed to begin his second NFL campaign.

Benching such a young quarterback at such an early stage is a death sentence for most. Many believed that Young’s career, at least in Carolina, was effectively over—especially after Dalton’s early stretch of offensive success.

Before today’s announcement, rumors had been swirling about the possible availability of the player who was once the top quarterback on many draft boards just a year ago. And a trade could actually happen before the Nov. 5 deadline, unless Young delivers something special.

Sunday’s outing in Denver may prove to be a crucial point in Young’s career. It could be all or nothing.

He’s an incredibly talented quarterback who’s getting a fresh opportunity at being the long-term answer in Carolina. Canales, during the week of his benching, even stated that he still had hope that Young could be a franchise quarterback.

There’s also a chance that Young is currently under a coaching staff that may not believe in him anymore, which is also another critical piece in understanding his future. He needs to prove himself in the biggest way this weekend—not just for the coaches, but for a fanbase that is in desperate need of a morale boost.

This weekend, Young must improve in the key areas that forced his head coach to make a franchise-altering decision—his ball security, his answers against pressure and pocket awareness and his composure. If these areas yield marked improvement, it could change the minds of the staff on who they’ll roll with going forward.

Once again, it’s all or nothing for the former Heisman Trophy winner– a second and potential last chance to prove his worth to the franchise that invested so heavily into him.

But if we see more of the same on Sunday, it could be the last time we see Young in the saddle for the Panthers.

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Broncos release Wednesday injury report: Pat Surtain status update

Broncos CB Pat Surtain (concussion) returned to practice Wednesday. Panthers QB Andy Dalton (thumb) did not practice.

Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain (concussion) returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out the team’s Thursday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints last week.

Surtain is still in the concussion protocol, but coach Sean Payton said after Wednesday’s practice that Surtain’s outlook “looks positive.”

Surtain suffered the concussion 10 days ago against the Los Angeles Chargers on Oct. 13. With Surtain sidelined against the Saints on Oct. 17, Riley Moss (58 snaps), Levi Wallace (70 snaps) and Ja’Quan McMillian (49 snaps) served as the team’s top cornerbacks in Week 7.

Tremon Smith (11 snaps) and Damarri Mathis (two snaps) served as the backup cornerbacks with rookie Kris Abrams-Draine a healthy scratch in New Orleans.

Elsewhere on Denver’s injury report, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach was sidelined with an illness and three other players were limited. 

Meanwhile, Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton did not participate on Wednesday after being involved in a car crash on Tuesday. After practice, Carolina coach Dave Canales revealed that Dalton sprained his thumb, putting Bryce Young back in the lineup for Week 8.

View the Broncos’ complete Wednesday injury report below. DNP = did not participate.

Player Wed Thur Fri Status
CB Pat Surtain (concussion) Full
DB P.J. Locke (thumb) Limited
OT Mike McGlinchey (knee) Limited
OT Alex Palczewski (ankle) Limited
DT Malcolm Roach (illness) DNP

Denver will practice again on Thursday and Friday before releasing a final injury report with game statuses for Sunday’s clash with the Panthers.

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