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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Panthers fans react to Bryce Young being named Week 8 starter

Panthers fans seem rather interested in Bryce Young getting another shot under center . . .

As bad as they’ve been, the Carolina Panthers have almost never been boring here in 2024.

The season took another intriguing turn on Wednesday, as second-year quarterback Bryce Young was named the starter for this week’s matchup against the Denver Broncos. With veteran Andy Dalton currently sidelined with a sprained thumb he sustained from a minor car accident on Tuesday, Young is now in line to get his second chance under center.

So, how are the fans feeling about another opportunity for last year’s No. 1 overall pick? Let’s take a look . . .

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Panthers QB Bryce Young talks about his chance to start in Week 8

Panthers QB Bryce Young spoke about getting the start for Sunday’s outing in Denver.

His second chance under center in Carolina may not end up being much of a second chance when it’s said and done, but Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is only focused on what’s right in front of him.

And as of now, there’s a fresh game in front of Young—who was named the team’s starter for their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos.

With Andy Dalton currently dealing with a sprained right thumb as a result of a minor car accident on Tuesday, the Panthers are once again looking to the former No. 1 overall pick to lead them to victory. Young, shortly following the announcement from head coach Dave Canales, talked about what the opportunity means.

“For me, it’s just day by day,” he said from his locker. “I wanna do everything I can to be the best I can today—during meetings and practice and, obviously, through everything I can to help the team on Sunday.”

Young was benched following a disappointing two-game stretch to begin the regular season. The 23-year-old passed for 250 yards and three interceptions over a pair of losses, where Carolina mustered up all of just 13 points.

A winner through almost all stages of his football career and the crown jewel of the NFL draft just one year ago, Young has had to spend the last five games as a backup. He was asked about the difficulty of having to deal with that harsh reality.

“It’s obviously difficult,” he replied. “I think, regardless of the walk of life, you can relate to just trying to do the right things and be consistent in what you do—especially if there’s adversity. So, definitely, there were struggles. But I’m not the only person going through something. I’m not the only person struggling.”

Sunday will mark Young’s 10th career start on the road. The Panthers are winless in the previous nine away outings under Young.

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Former Bengals QB Andy Dalton involved in vehicle crash

Former Bengals QB Andy Dalton and his family were involved in a car crash in Charlotte.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and his family were involved in a car accident on Tuesday in Charlotte, N.C.

According to WCNC, Dalton was in the car with his wife, three children and dog going westbound on Sardis Road when the crash occurred. No one in the vehicle required medical transportation, though Dalton was evaluated by Panthers’ medical personnel after the fact.

Dalton, a second-round pick by the Bengals in 2011, has thrown for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions while starting for the Panthers this year after the franchise benched former No. 1 pick Bryce Young.

Wednesday, Dalton was present, but not working at Panthers practice, per Joe Person of The Athletic:

 

Update: Dalton suffered a sprained thumb in the accident and won’t play in Week 8.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales speaks on decision to start Bryce Young in Week 8

Panthers HC Dave Canales was asked if QB Bryce Young can reclaim the starting job with a strong return under center in Week 8.

Albeit by some unforeseen circumstances, Bryce Young’s second act with the Carolina Panthers is set to begin. But how long will it last?

On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales announced that Young will get the starting nod under center in place of an injured Andy Dalton. Dalton, who was involved in a minor car accident on Tuesday, did not participate in this afternoon’s practice session due to a sprained thumb on his throwing hand.

Canales would be asked if he believes Young has built on his game since he was benched earlier this season.

“All I can tell is he’s been engaged the whole time,” replied Canales, who also said Young has been a “stud” throughout the five-game process. “We had great football conversations. During the week, fine-tuning our game plans. On Sunday, on the sideline, talking through things. So he’s been engaged and a part of that whole thing.

“So, for me, it’s great for him that he approached it with such class and integrity, this hard situation. And now, he gets to get back out there and play some football.”

Young wasn’t playing good football through the first two weeks of the campaign, passing for 250 yards and three interceptions while leading the Panthers to just 13 points in a pair of losses. His underwhelming performance resulted in Canales handing over the starting job to Dalton in Week 3.

The first start back shouldn’t be an easy for Young, who is set to face a hot Denver Broncos defense. If he does, however, light the ponies up, can Bryce reclaim his job?

Canales said the following about that very inquiry:

“We’re gonna evaluate Andy’s thumb and we’ll go week to week with our decision. Dan [Morgan], Brandt [Tilis] and I will talk together about the right thing to do for the team.”

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Panthers will make QB change ahead of Broncos game

After Andy Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident, the Panthers are set to start Bryce Young against the Broncos on Sunday.

The Carolina Panthers are set to make a quarterback change ahead of their Week 8 game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said Monday that Andy Dalton would remain the team’s starting quarterback this week. One day later, Dalton was involved in a car accident in Charlotte.

Dalton was present at Wednesday’s practice but he did not participate in the session, according to the team’s injury report. After practice, Canales confirmed that Dalton sprained his thumb and Bryce Young is now set to start against the Broncos on Sunday.

Young, 23, was the No. 1 overall pick out of Alabama last year.

Young went 2-16 as a starter in Charlotte before being benched by the Panthers three games into his second season. Dalton, a 36-year-old veteran, went 1-4 over the last five games with seven touchdowns and six interceptions.

Before being benched, Young completed 56.9% of his passes this fall for 299 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions (he did rush for one score). Young was also sacked seven times. He’s now back in the lineup for Sunday’s game at Empower Field at Mile High.

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Panthers QB Bryce Young named starter for Week 8 matchup vs. Broncos

With Andy Dalton dealing with a right thumb injury, the Panthers will hand the reins back over to Bryce Young in Week 8.

The Carolina Panthers will, once again, look a little different under center.

On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales announced that second-year quarterback Bryce Young is set to start in the team’s Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. The second shot for the 2023 No. 1 overall pick comes as a result of a right thumb injury to veteran Andy Dalton, who was involved in a minor car accident on Tuesday.

Young was benched following a disappointing start to his sophomore campaign. He passed for just 250 yards and three interceptions over a pair of losses.

Here, headlined by Dalton, is Wednesday’s full injury report:

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

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