The Buffalo Bills are ready to get back to work after enjoying their bye week in Week 7. After suffering losses to the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons in their two most recent games, the Bills will be highly motivated to get back in the win column when they square off against the Carolina Panthers in Week 8.
While the Panthers may seem like a favorable matchup for the Bills, they are 4-3 on the season, indicating that they cannot be taken lightly. However, after Bryce Young was forced out of their Week 7 win early with an ankle injury, Carolina has received an injury update that will have a big impact on his status for Week 8.
Bryce Young Expected to Miss Panthers Clash vs. Bills
The Bills got off to a very hot start in the 2025 campaign, and they appeared to be the top team in the league after winning their first four games. A pair of disappointing losses to the Patriots and Falcons changed the tenor surrounding the team, though, and it was clear that Buffalo had some issues it needed to clean up during its week off.
Getting a matchup against the Panthers in Week 8 seems to favor the Bills, even though they just won their third straight game. Carolina hasn’t exactly been dominating their opponents in their win, and they suffered an embarrassing 42-13 defeat at the hands of the Patriots in Week 4. Still, you can’t complain about a team that is finding a way to win football games.
Young has been key in keeping the Panthers’ offense moving up and down the field, but he is dealing with an ankle injury that has thrown his status for this game up in the air. Sure enough, reports have emerged indicating that the team isn’t expecting him to suit up against the Bills, meaning that Andy Dalton would earn the start in Week 8.
“Panthers QB Bryce Young suffered a high ankle sprain on Sunday, an MRI revealed, and he is expected to miss this week’s game against the Bills, per sources,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported in a post on X. “Andy Dalton is now in line to start against Buffalo, and quite possibly beyond.”
Panthers’ Bryce Young Injury Update Favors Bills
GettyJACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 07: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass during the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium on September 07, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Not having to worry about Young would be a big relief for the Bills. While Dalton has had some success when filling in under center during his time with the Panthers, he looked lost during his brief stint on the field against the Jets on Sunday. Thankfully for Carolina, New York’s offense was in an even worse spot than theirs, which allowed them to escape with a win.
Buffalo was going to be favored to win this game even if Young was able to go, but this could make the team’s quest to get back in the win column a bit easier. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon, with the Bills looking to get back in the win column and earn their fifth victory of the year.
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