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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will once again start at quarterback in Week 8 amid Andy Dalton's injury sustained in an automobile accident earlier this week, head coach Dave Canales told reporters on Wednesday (October 23).
Dalton, who replaced Young as the Panthers' starting quarterback in Week 3, suffered a sprain thumb during the accident, which also involved his wife, Jordan, their three children and their dog, about seven miles away from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Young, 23, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has thrown for 246 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions on 31 of 56 passing, while also recording 18 yards and one touchdown on five rushing attempts during the Panthers' two losses to open the 2024 NFL season.
Dalton has gone 1-4 in five starts while throwing for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions on 106 of 160 passing. Canales had previously confirmed he was "committed" to Dalton as the team's starter during his postgame press conference following the team's 40-7 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Carolina traded up in the 2023 NFL Draft to select Young, a former Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, and finished his rookie season with the worst record in the NFL, which resulted in the Chicago Bears using their traded pick to select former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Panthers will face the Denver Broncos in a Week 8 road matchup on Sunday (October 27).