CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was hoping to get another starting opportunity this season, but not in this situation.
Veteran Andy Dalton sprained the thumb on his right throwing hand Tuesday when he was involved in a multi-vehicle accident while driving with his wife, three children and dog about seven miles from Bank of America Stadium. Yes.
Coach Dave Canales called Young on Tuesday night to let him know he would be the starter Sunday in Denver and announced it publicly on Wednesday after the top pick in the 2023 draft completed practice earning all first-team reps while Dalton observed. I did it.
“Originally, listening was the center of my mind,” Young said. At first I reminded myself that it wasn’t an opportunity, but rather thoughts about Dalton and his family.
Young was benched in favor of Dalton after an 0-2 start and threw three interceptions with no touchdowns. Dalton won his debut against the Las Vegas Raiders but has lost his last four starts for the 1-6 Panthers.
Still, the plan was to have Dalton start against the Broncos (4-3) until Tuesday’s accident.
“It was scary,” Dalton said of the accident. [the children] I experienced something like that. They were pretty shaken up by it. I am most grateful that everyone is healthy. ”
Dalton, 36, did not elaborate on how the accident occurred other than a sudden stop that caused all the airbags to deploy.
“Now that’s a big lesson for us as parents, and for us as kids, to wear a seatbelt, and that priority is number one,” Dalton said.
For Young, the past five weeks have been a lesson in humility. He was benched after going 2-16 overall as a starter. His goal throughout the process was to remain consistent and improve, and he believes he did just that.
When asked how big of a challenge the situation was, he said, “There is definitely adversity.” “But I’m not the only one going through something, and I’m not the only one struggling. We have to continue to be consistent.”
Canales said he hopes Dalton can be the backup on Sunday. He said Dalton will be evaluated weekly on who will start after that.
But the first-year NFL coach said Young was “an absolute stud” for the way he handled his bench.
“He was engaged the whole time,” Canales said. “We had some great football conversations during the week, fine-tuning our game plan and talking about different things on the sidelines.
“It’s great for him. He approached this difficult situation with class and integrity. Now let’s get back out there and play football.”
This isn’t the first time a Carolina quarterback has been injured in a car accident during a time when the team is struggling, sparking change. Cam Newton suffered two back fractures in an accident on a Tuesday in 2014 when his truck rolled multiple times less than a half-mile from the stadium.
The Panthers were 4-8-1 but still looking for an NFC South title at the time of the accident. Backup Derek Anderson started one game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina went on to win the division with a 7-8-1 record.
Carolina enters a three-game stretch ahead of its bye week against the Broncos, New Orleans Saints (2-5) and New York Giants (2-5).
Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, who missed the last two games with a shoulder injury, is among a key group of players expected to return this week to bolster a defense that ranks last in the NFL in points allowed.
He said Young deserves another chance and doesn’t think the Panthers are out of contention for the division title, with Atlanta and Tampa Bay tied for the lead at 4-3.
“It’s because of the people in the locker room,” Clowney said. “We just have to put it together, believe and accept it, and it will happen.’’
