The 2024 NFL season has been rough, to say the least, for the Carolina Panthers, with the struggling franchise going through another season without the results they’ve been hoping for since drafting quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Earlier in the season, Panthers head coach Dave Canales and his coaching staff decided to make a move that no one saw coming, as Carolina chose to bench Young and start veteran journeyman Andy Dalton at the quarterback position.
The move seemed to give the team the jolt they needed as they crushed the Las Vegas Raiders on the road in Week 3, but that success with Dalton was short-lived, as the team hasn’t won a game since.
Heading into Week 8’s matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, the Panthers have been forced to turn back to Young, with Dalton being involved in a car accident, which injured his thumb, resulting in the veteran being ruled out for this game along with wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Panthers ruled out WRs Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen for Sunday’s game at Denver.
QB Andy Dalton, who did not practice this week due to a right thumb injury suffered in a car accident, is listed as doubtful. Bryce Young is expected to start. pic.twitter.com/aMP3fnQulS
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 25, 2024
As if Young didn’t already face the tough challenge of going up against a stout defense in Denver, the 23-year-old will have to take on Sean Payton’s squad without two of his best wide receivers, which doesn’t bode well for the Panthers.
The odds are certainly against Young being able to put on a show in Week 8 on the road, as he gets an opportunity to show he deserves to be the starter of this team moving forward or for another team in the league.
