Tag: Dave Canales

Panthers name starting QB for Week 12 matchup vs. Chiefs

Panthers HC Dave Canales has named his starting QB for Week 12.

The Carolina Panthers are Bryce Young’s team . . . but still just on a week-to-week basis.

On Monday, head coach Dave Canales named Young as the team’s starting quarterback for their Week 12 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. This upcoming outing will mark the fourth straight start for the second-year passer, who was benched at the beginning of Week 3.

Young took a backseat to 14th-year veteran Andy Dalton after pacing the Panthers to just 13 points and a pair of blowout losses to begin the campaign. Dalton would headline Carolina’s 36-22 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in his first start, but proceeded to lead them to four consecutive losses from Weeks 4 to 7.

Canales and the Panthers went back to Young in Week 8, when Dalton injured his right thumb in a minor car accident. Young has since helped Carolina to a 2-1 mark while completing 62.5 percent of his passes for 521 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Despite giving him the nod for Sunday, Canales would not commit to Young as the starter for the remainder of the season.

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Panthers beat writer predicts Andy Dalton will ‘get another crack’ as starting QB

Will the Panthers still give QB Andy Dalton another shot this season? One team beat writer seems to think so.

Perhaps only Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales knows the method behind his madness of not committing to Bryce Young as the team’s starting quarterback. But one writer might have a beat on it.

Joe Person of The Athletic opined on Wednesday that veteran Andy Dalton, even despite Young’s recent string of success, will “get another crack” under center at some point this season.

He writes:

This was among my predictions for the second half of the season. The Panthers are about to enter a murderer’s row schedule stretch against Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. If Young stumbles in one or more of those, don’t be surprised to see the Red Rifle behind center again, even though the more prudent play would be to stick with Young to see if he can be the guy going forward.

Dalton took over in Week 3, where he’d throw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a 36-22 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. But the quality of play would digress over the next four outings, as the 14th-year quarterback averaged 167.5 passing yards per game with four scores and six picks in four straight losses.

A minor car accident at the beginning of Week 8 would result in a right thumb injury for Dalton, giving way for Young’s return to the lineup. Since then, the Panthers have gone 2-1 while Young has passed for 521 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Nonetheless, Canales did not commit to Young following this past Sunday’s 20-17 victory over the New York Giants.

“Yeah, we’ll take all the information in and we’ll let you guys know,” he replied on Monday when asked if he’s ready to name a starting quarterback for Week 12. “Fortunately for us, we have some time to think this whole thing through.”

The Panthers will come out of this week’s bye to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Nov. 24.

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Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard ‘good’ after dislocating knee during career day

Between earning a contract extension and escaping a major knee injury this week, Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard may be on a generational run right now.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard wasn’t going to let a little knee dislocation stop his big day.

The fourth-year rusher starred in Sunday’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants, where he dashed for a career-high 153 yards and a touchdown. But that memorable outing was nearly cut viciously short in the fourth quarter, when this happened . . .

Hubbard, however, came back to the field for the very next possession—even recording a 6-yard run on the first very play of that following drive. After finishing out the victory, he told reporters about what had happened:

Head coach Dave Canales was then asked about Hubbard on Monday afternoon.

“He’s good,” Canales replied. “He checked out well on the sideline, came back in and finished the game.”

Well, between securing a lucrative contract extension on Thursday and escaping what could have been a devastating injury en route to a career performance on Sunday, Hubbard may very well be on a generational run at the moment.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales explains why RB Jonathon Brooks did not play in Week 10

The Panthers didn’t unleash rookie RB Jonathon Brooks in Week 10. HC Dave Canales explained why on Monday.

Week 10 just wasn’t the week for the NFL debut of Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks.

Head coach Dave Canales spoke to reporters this afternoon, as the team returned home from Sunday’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants. The victory did not include Brooks, who was officially activated to the 53-man roster this past Wednesday

Canales was asked why he kept the rookie on the sideline.

“Took in a lot of factors, watched him progress throughout the week and really just felt like it wasn’t time yet,” he replied. “And so, now we have two weeks before we play our next game, to be able to just get him in tip-top shape. And we gotta, again, see where Miles [Sanders] is at. But then we can make the decision going from there.”

Brooks tore the ACL in his right knee while still playing for the University of Texas Longhorns last November. He did not participate in practices throughout the offseason and began the campaign on the reserve/non-football injury list.

The 21-year-old could finally see the field on Nov. 24, when the Panthers return from their upcoming bye week to host the Kansas City Chiefs.

As stated by Canales, Brooks’ status may also hinge on the outlook for his fellow back in Sanders—who exited yesterday’s game with a foot/ankle injury.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales still doesn’t name starting QB for Week 12

Panthers HC Dave Canales didn’t commit to Bryce Young as the team’s starting QB following their Week 10 win.

The Carolina Panthers are still making their quarterback decisions on a weekly basis.

Head coach Dave Canales spoke with reporters this afternoon to put a bow on Sunday’s 20-17 victory over the New York Giants. Yesterday’s win, the second straight for Canales and crew, saw quarterback Bryce Young turn in yet another encouraging performance under center—as he passed for 126 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

But that, seemingly, wasn’t enough to name the former No. 1 overall pick as his team’s starter moving forward.

“Yeah, we’ll take all the information in and we’ll let you guys know,” he replied when asked if he’s ready to name a starting quarterback for Week 12. “Fortunately for us, we have some time to think this whole thing through.”

Young, who was benched at the start of Week 3, returned to the starting lineup in Week 8 after veteran Andy Dalton injured his right thumb in a minor car accident. Dalton—over his five starts in that time—passed for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions while leading the Panthers to a 1-4 record.

Prior to the benching, Young completed 55.4 percent of his throws for 245 yards, no scores and three picks. In his three starts back, he’s recorded a 62.5-percent completion rate with 521 passing yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Panthers now enter their Week 11 bye at 3-7. They will face the 9-0, defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at home in Week 12.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales: Bryce Young ‘certainly is making a statement’

Panthers HC Dave Canales was asked if he’ll commit to Bryce Young as the team’s starting QB after their second straight win.

For the third straight post-game press conference, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales stopped short of naming Bryce Young as his team’s starting quarterback moving forward. But the latest non-answer was his strongest yet.

Canales spoke with reporters following his team’s 20-17 overtime win over the New York Giants on Sunday. Young, in helping the Panthers pick up their second consecutive victory, completed 15 of his 25 throws for 126 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

So, now that that franchise has its first winning streak since 2022, Canales was asked if Young’s status as their starter has been solidified.

“I’m just so proud of Bryce,” he replied. “I’m so proud of taking the next step again. I thought he had a great day, thought it could’ve been a fantastic day. I thought a few balls got away from us a couple of times that really would’ve turned into an exceptional day.

“But he handled the rush well, he handled the different coverage looks and all that. So, again, we’ll take all the information, we’ll do all that. But Bryce certainly is making a statement to all of us. So I just can’t tell you how proud I am of just weekly progress and that’s the goal for all of us.”

The Panthers are now 2-1 in Young’s three outings since he returned to the starting lineup.

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Panthers activating RB Jonathon Brooks, DL Jaden Crumedy to roster

Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks, who tore his ACL almost exactly one year ago, is officially on an active NFL roster.

The Carolina Panthers officially have their 2024 second-round pick at their disposal.

As announced on Wednesday, the team has moved running back Jonathon Brooks to their active roster. Carolina had until 4 p.m. ET today to activate the 21-year-old rookie, who began the regular season on the reserve/non-football injury list.

Brooks tore his ACL on Nov. 11, 2023, while still playing for the University of Texas Longhorns. Although he was expecting to be healthy by training camp, the 46th overall selection did not end up participating in offseason workouts.

Head coach Dave Canales spoke about activating Brooks, as well as fellow rookie and defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy, following this afternoon’s practice.

“We’ll bring Crum and Brooks onto the team,” he told reporters. “We still gotta evaluate today, tomorrow as far as if they’re up or not for the game. We’ll make that decision later on in the week, but we will expect those guys to be on the team.”

Canales also touched on the possibility of outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum suiting up soon.

“Wonnum is really close,” he said. “I feel pretty good about him. Again, I think he’s in a position where tomorrow will be a full-steam practice all the way throughout. So that’ll give him a real good sense of if he’s ready to handle the challenge of a full game.

“But I’m encouraged by what he’s done in the last two weeks. So, I think, with a solid day tomorrow, that can be another guy that can show up for us.”

Wonnum, who signed a two-year deal with Carolina this past spring, has yet to play this season due to his recovery from a quadriceps tear.

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Panthers HC Dave Canales is asked if Bryce Young will start for remainder of season

Panthers HC Dave Canales still didn’t commit to Bryce Young as the team’s starting QB for the remainder of the season.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales named Bryce Young as his team’s starting quarterback for Week 10. But is he willing to name Young as his team’s starting quarterback for the rest of the 2024 season?

On Wednesday, Canales told reporters that the former No. 1 overall pick will be under center against the New York Giants on Sunday. He explained why.

“This is about progress from one week to the next,” Canales stated. “I preach ‘finish.’ I talk about ‘finish’ all the time. Finish everything. Finish plays, drives, quarters, halves. Finishing games. He did a fantastic job of finishing that game the right way, finding a way to win and really battling that way. So I was really proud of Bryce for that.”

Young, in his second start back since being benched, led the Panthers to a 23-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday. He completed 16 of his 26 attempts for 171 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Canales was then asked if he’s ready to commit to Young as the starter moving forward.

“Well, ya know, we have an opportunity to play this game, and we’re gonna take all the information in and then we’ll make a decision after that,” he replied.

Veteran Andy Dalton headed the offense in the five games following Young’s early-season benching. The Panthers went 1-4 in those outings, with the last seeing the 37-year-old throw for only 93 yards and two interceptions.

Young took the reins back in Week 8, after Dalton sustained a right thumb injury from a minor car accident. He’s since gone on to complete 63.5 percent of his passes for 395 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Sheena Quick of FOX Sports Radio would later ask Canales if carrying on with uncertainty at the quarterback position has had an effect on both Young and Dalton.

“I mean, it has an effect on the whole team, for sure,” he replied. “We’d like to have that consistency and all that. But we’re in a situation where . . . I made a move early in the year to put Andy in and then we kinda had five games to collect some information. And then this situation put us to where we have a chance to evaluate Bryce and where he’s at.

“I know the challenges that it does face. So to be fair to your question, yes, it does present some challenges. But, again, like a bunch of positions on our team this year—I look at the opportunities, I look at the experience and all those things that we talk about. So, these are valuable games for us.”

Carolina will enter their Week 11 bye following this weekend’s trip to Munich, Germany.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan on if he’d draft a QB in 2025: ‘I’ll consider everything’

Would Panthers GM Dan Morgan consider drafting a QB at the top of the 2025 NFL draft? He was asked that on Wednesday, and he didn’t say no.

No one knows who will be starting under center for the Carolina Panthers in 2025, including the man who runs the show.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan spoke with reporters this afternoon, just a few days ahead of his team’s Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. As you’d assume, he took quite a few questions regarding Bryce Young—the quarterback he helped select with the No. 1 overall pick of last year’s draft.

Morgan did shoot down speculation about a possible move of the 23-year-old passer, who remained in Carolina past yesterday’s trade deadline. He was, however, asked why the team hasn’t committed to Young moving forward.

“Those are obviously discussions between Dave [Canales] and myself and Brandt [Tilis], just kinda talkin’ through the direction we wanna go,” Morgan replied. “Ya know, hey, we’re lookin’ for him to grow and develop every week, get better every single week. And Dave has a plan for him, Dave has a plan for all the guys on this roster. He’s doin’ a really good job with him and Bryce has bought in and he’s committed to being the best that he can be. So, we’ll see where it goes.”

Young hasn’t lived up to his billing quite yet. The Panthers are 3-17 in his 20 career starts, where he’s thrown for just 162.3 yards per game with 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

The outlook has gotten a bit brighter in recent weeks. Young had himself a relatively solid showing against the Denver Broncos in Week 8 and followed that with a triumphant start in a 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday.

But if Young still doesn’t impress the organization enough by the end of the campaign, would Morgan and company consider taking another quarterback at or near the top of the upcoming draft? He was asked that very question shortly after.

“I mean, I’ll consider everything,” Morgan stated. “I’m gonna have an open mind. I talk about it all the time and I talk about it with the guys in the building. We’re gonna draft really good football players. So, whatever position that is—I don’t know. But we’re gonna draft really good football players we think are gonna help our team improve.”

The Panthers, at 2-7, are currently in the fourth overall slot of the 2025 draft order.

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Panthers name their starting QB for Week 10 matchup vs. Giants

Panthers HC Dave Canales named his starting QB for Week 10 on Wednesday.

Are we back in the Bryce Age?

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced on Wednesday that Bryce Young will be the team’s starting quarterback for their Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants. The decision comes off the heels of yesterday’s 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints.

Young connected on 16 of his 26 passing attempts for 171 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the triumph. In addition to recording his third career victory as a starter, the 23-year-old also led his first game-winning touchdown drive in the NFL—orchestrating a four-play, 64-yard possession that ended in a 16-yard score by running back Chuba Hubbard.

The former No. 1 overall pick returned to the starting lineup in Week 8, in place of an injured Andy Dalton. Over his two starts since, Young connected on 63.5 percent of his passes for 395 yards, three scores and three picks.

Dalton’s last outing came against the Washington Commanders in Week 7, where he threw for 93 yards and two interceptions.

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