Andy Dalton's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

The Carolina Panthers will not have quarterback Andy Dalton (thumb) or running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Dalton is inactive after injuring his right thumb during a minor car accident earlier this week. His absence re-inserts Bryce Young into the Panthers starting lineup for Week 8. Meanwhile, Brooks is still on the non-football injury list after Carolina failed to activate him on Saturday. The rookie still has not made his NFL debut. The Panthers must activate him by November 6; if they don't, Brooks won't be able to play this season. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders will handle most of Carolina's rushing opportunities until Brooks is healthy enough to play.

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 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.