Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday after spraining his thumb during a car accident that he was involved in earlier this week. Head coach Dave Canales already said that second-year QB Bryce Young will return to a starting role in Week 8 on Sunday against the Denver Broncos with Dalton injured. Depending on how Young fares this weekend, the Panthers could continue on with him as their starter under center. Dalton gave Carolina's struggling offense an immediate shot in the arm when he took over for Young in Week 3, but in recent weeks, the Red Rifle hasn't been as productive and was pulled late in a 40-7 blowout loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 7. Against a top-five defense in the Broncos, Young is going to have his work cut out for him in his return to the starting role.

Carolina Panthers tight ends Ja'Tavion Sanders (groin, wrist) and Tommy Tremble (back) were both listed as limited for Wednesday's team practice. Tremble has been in and out of the lineup all season with a myriad of injuries and hasn't appeared in action since the team's Week 5 loss to the Chicago Bears. Wednesday marked his first practice session since last Thursday. Conversely, Sanders has been among the more productive Panthers over the last few weeks, but the groin and wrist injuries are new. Over the next few days, his status will be telling regarding the team's Week 9 road tilt against the Denver Broncos. However, even if he's healthy -- fantasy managers contemplating starting him this weekend may want to exhibit caution against an excellent Broncos' defense. Additionally, second-year quarterback Bryce Young will be making his first start since Week 2, with veteran Andy Dalton (thumb) dealing with the aftereffects of a recent car accident.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) was listed as a limited practice participant on Wednesday as the team prepares for their Week 8 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Brooks had his 21-day practice window opened last week but ultimately wasn't activated from Injured Reserve to make his NFL debut in the Week 7 blowout loss to the Washington Commanders. The 21-year-old second-round selection is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered last year in college, but he could make his debut this Sunday in Denver if he makes progress in practice this week. The RB selected in April's draft should be rostered in all fantasy formats and has the ability to demand a sizeable workload next to Chuba Hubbard in Carolina's backfield by season's end. If Brooks is active against Denver, we'd recommend keeping him on the bench as the Panthers likely ease him in.

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) suffered a sprained thumb in the car accident he was involved in on Tuesday, and Bryce Young will make the start in Week 8 against the Denver Broncos. Dalton was given the day off on Wednesday and is now going to give the starting gig back to Young after flopping in a blowout loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 7. Young, the 23-year-old first overall pick in 2023, had an ugly rookie season and didn't look much better in the first two starts this year, completing 55.36% of his passes for 245 yards and three interceptions while being sacked six times. Although Carolina's offense has struggled in recent weeks, Dalton proved to be an immediate upgrade over Young when he took over for him in Week 3. Against one of the best defenses in the NFL, Young could struggle some more this Sunday in Denver.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton is not practicing on Wednesday for what is being called "a day off" by team reporter Joe Person. Dalton was involved in a car accident on Tuesday, but he and his family did not sustain any serious injuries. His excused absence from practice is likely a precautionary measure. The former second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011 has started the last five games for the Panthers following the benching of 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. Dalton has been up-and-down in his 14th NFL campaign, completing 66.3% of his passes for 989 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions. Young will handle valuable first-team reps in Wednesday's practice, but it remains to be seen if he will get back the QB1 duties sometime this season.