Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that quarterback Bryce Young will make his third straight start on Sunday in Week 10 in Munich, Germany, against the New York Giants. The Panthers are taking it week-to-week right now at the QB position. Young, who has been a huge bust so far as the top overall pick in 2023, was benched for veteran Andy Dalton after the first two weeks of the season. But Dalton sprained his thumb in a car accident several weeks ago, leading to Young making the last two starts. The 23-year-old hasn't done anything incredible the last two games, but he did lead the team to their second win last Sunday against the Saints, going 16-for-26 for 171 yards with a TD and interception. He's going to need to play well to hold off the recovering Dalton for the starting job and will be a low-end QB2 in fantasy in Week 10 against a Giants defense that leads the NFL in sacks.

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will be activated to the 53-man roster on Wednesday, according to Panthers insider Joe Person. The rookie running back has been on the PUP (Physically Unable To Perform) list all year as he works his way back from a November ACL tear at Texas, but he has been practicing for the last few weeks. Brooks turned in a full practice on Wednesday, but head coach Dave Canales has not committed to him playing in Week 10 against the New York Giants in Germany. Brooks, the first ball carrier selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, is expected to eventually take over a workhorse role in Carolina, but it might not happen in his rookie season given the success of veteran Chuba Hubbard this season. Fantasy managers should wait to see if Brooks will play on Sunday, but his role and fantasy football outlook have a wide range of outcomes when he makes his NFL debut.

Despite NFL teams calling about quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick last year, the Carolina Panthers will keep him, according to a source. Teams were gauging if the Panthers were already ready to give up on the top pick from 2023, and the answer for now is no. The 23-year-old had a disastrous rookie campaign and was benched this year for veteran Andy Dalton after two poor showings to open his sophomore season. A thumb sprain for Dalton has opened the starting door back up for Young the last two weeks, and it seems likely he'll make a third straight start in Week 10 versus the New York Giants in Germany this Sunday after leading the team to their second win in Week 9 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Young still has lots of improvements to make and will be a low-end QB2 for fantasy managers in superflex leagues if he's starting in Europe.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he's very optimistic that rookie second-round running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will be ready for Week 10 against the New York Giants in Germany. Canales said a "critical" decision will have to be made on Wednesday as to whether to officially activate Brooks. The 21-year-old rookie has had the start of his first NFL season delayed in 2024 as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee last November while playing at Texas. He was able to practice in full all three days last week and appears primed to be activated in order to make his NFL debut this Sunday in Europe. Brooks should be rostered in all fantasy leagues for his upside potential, but there's a very good chance he's eased in behind Chuba Hubbard and alongside Miles Sanders initially. His impending return has made Sanders a trade candidate.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette recorded a rather pedestrian stat line in Week 9 with four receptions, 33 yards, one touchdown, and one drop in Sunday's 23-22 win over the New Orleans Saints. The 23-year-old also rushed for six yards on one rushing attempt. His drop resulted in a Saints interception, but his touchdown gave Carolina an early lead. Legette's 26-yard reception on 3rd and 10 set up Chuba Hubbard's game-winning run. While having yet to crack a 70-yard game, Legette has four touchdowns on the season and has scored in consecutive weeks with Bryce Young at quarterback. His fantasy value is still erratic, as you'd expect from a rookie in a dysfunctional situation. Still, Xavier Legette has undeniable traits and will look to extend his scoring streak in Germany against the New York Giants.