With Andy Dalton ‘excited’ and Bryce Young ‘blessed,’ a Panthers QB decision still looms
The first question posed to Bryce Young on Thursday — the first time the third-year quarterback has spoken to media since injuring his right ankle against the New York Jets — was a predictable one.
How are you feeling?
“Blessed,” Young said, politely smiling.
A natural follow-up came to the fore.
Right. But how does your ankle feel?
This little moment on Thursday afternoon, three days before the Carolina Panthers host the Buffalo Bills in Bank of America Stadium, exemplifies the story of the week:
The Panthers are keeping their “who will start at quarterback” card close to the vest.
“Good, good,” Young said. “It’s been making progress. Each day I’ve been feeling better. We’re all process-oriented here, process-driven. Coach always says that. So we’re just keeping to that process.”
Officially, a team spokesperson confirmed to reporters that while Young did not practice Thursday — he was sidelined without pads on while the rest of the team had a full practice — he again showed “progress” in his mobility. There is still no update on who will start.
That’s been the company line since Monday, when head coach Dave Canales said that Young is “day to day” a few hours after multiple outlets reported that Young had suffered a high ankle sprain and that he was expected to miss the game against the Bills.
Reporters then directly asked Young various questions about his ankle for about nine minutes. He answered most of them by saying that he trusted the coaching staff and medical personnel to make such decisions.
When asked comparative questions — he injured his ankle his rookie year in 2023 — he couldn’t really elaborate, he said, citing his poor memory. When asked if there’s a difference injuring your left ankle versus your right ankle (your planting ankle) as a quarterback, he added: “Everyone in the league is dealing with something. It’s part of sports.”
Such is life in Uptown Charlotte now, as soon-to-be 38-year-old quarterback Andy Dalton takes the first-team reps while Young takes mental reps from the sideline. The team also has Hendon Hooker on the practice squad, where he has been serving as the scout-team QB, and newly signed practice squad guy Mike White.
Here’s a brief synopsis of what the three quarterbacks said Thursday, keeping in mind that none of them gave any real indication of who will start Sunday.
Andy Dalton: ‘You never know how many you’re going to get’
Dalton, like the rest of the Panthers’ quarterbacks, is rooting for Young to return from injury safety and quickly. He told reporters Thursday that should he get the call to start, though, he’d be “excited” and that “every opportunity that I get to be out there, I’m going to enjoy it.” The gunslinger added, “You never know how many you’re going to get.”
Dalton said as much last year when he stepped in for Young in Week 3 after Young was benched. The key difference this year, of course, is that the Panthers are not only winning, but rolling offensively, versus last year’s lack of life through two weeks.
Dalton is tied for 26th in all-time passing touchdowns with Dan Fouts at 256; one touchdown pass will mean he’s then tied for 25th all time with Sonny Jurgensen, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Does he keep track of such stats?
“I’m aware because there are some people here around me who tell me where I’m at,” Dalton said. “But yeah, obviously with how long I’ve played in this league, there are some things that would be pretty cool to keep chasing, and the more I’m out there, the more production I’ll get. So we’ll see.
“But it’s definitely not something I’m striving for, or trying to accomplish. I’d just go out and play and see how it all shakes out in the end.”
Hendon Hooker and learning from Andy Dalton
The Greensboro, N.C., native said that not much has changed as far as his routine as this whirlwind week carries on. The 27-year-old practice squad QB says that he prepares “the same way each week.” One cool thing: Canales lets his practice squad guys travel with the team, which gives Hooker the chance to ask Dalton questions during the game every week, without fail. He opened up on that part of their relationship Thursday — and Dalton’s skills as a mentor.
“We might be talking about a play from the last series — or four series ago,” Hooker said. “Or just a question I might have randomly about a play, and those nuances within the play. … What drop do you like with this progression? What drop do you like with this certain route? Or where are you going with your eyes when you get two-high on this play? Or when you get man? Things of that nature.”
Mike White has simple — but difficult — advice for Panthers
The Panthers brought in White as Young dealt with an ankle injury officially on Tuesday. Canales admitted Wednesday that part of it was because the upcoming opponent is the Buffalo Bills — a team that White had spent a lot of time with in 2024, as he served as the third quarterback with Mitch Trubisky and MVP Josh Allen.
Any advice he could give to the Panthers’ defense?
“Stop Josh Allen,” White said with a smile. “That’s really what it comes down to, right? He’s so talented at extending plays and all that good stuff. And he’s so smart at the line of scrimmage, which I don’t think he gets enough credit for. … Unless you’re truly in the day-to-day with him, and you see how he operates and works, you can’t have enough appreciation for it.
“My time has been so consumed with trying to pick up this playbook, so I’m just trying to focus on that part of it.”
Quick hits
- Only two players were listed as “did not participate” on Thursday: Bryce Young (ankle) and Cam Jackson (illness). Everyone else was full go.
- Tepper Sports and Entertainment CEO Kristi Coleman helped ring the NASDAQ opening bell Thursday alongside a group from Forbes to celebrate women in the sports industry. The tower is in Times Square in New York City, where the NFL owners meetings took place.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 6:11 PM.
