The Carolina Panthers are trying to regroup after their 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills that snapped their three-game winning streak. The team was without starting quarterback Bryce Young due to an ankle injury, but another reason for the offense’s struggles was revealed on Thursday.
Backup quarterback Andy Dalton, who started for the Panthers against the Bills, revealed he played the game with a broken thumb. Dalton’s stats certainly reflected that he was playing injured.
Dalton against the Bills went 16/24 for 175 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and he was sacked seven times.
Doesn’t Want To Make Excuses
Andy Dalton knows that he played poorly last Sunday against the Bills, but he doesn’t want to use his broken thumb as an excuse for it.
Panthers reporter Joe Person recorded Dalton discussing the broken thumb at his locker on Thursday.
“I‘m not gonna use that as an excuse for anything,” Dalton said. “Obviously, I’d love for my thumb not to be broken, but it is what is.”
Dalton was injured on the second series of the game when his thumb smacked the helmet of a Bills defender. When asked whether he was surprised that the Panthers kept him in the game despite his injury, Dalton was not, due to him not fully comprehending the injury at the time.
“No,” Dalton said. “For me, I didn’t know what had happened. I knew that I had it hit, and then I felt like I could function normally.”
Bryce Young Cleared to Play
While Andy Dalton insists that he can still play if needed, that won’t be necessary this week as starting quarterback Bryce Young has been cleared to play against the Green Bay Packers.
Panthers.com writer Darin Gantt wrote about Panthers head coach Dave Canales in his October 31 article, and his update on the quarterback situation, particularly with Young.
“Better and better, handled the week really well,” Canales said when asked about Young’s mobility. “Each day just kind of ramped up some of the things we were exposing him to. He looked awesome, working with these guys, just getting in there, reading, communicating, and physically just looked like he’s ready to go.”
Young has been a full participant in practice this week and looks good to go in what will be a significant test for a Panthers team still trying to prove themselves.
As far as Dalton is concerned, he appears to be in line to be the backup quarterback despite the Panthers signing Mike White to the active roster.
“Andy will be the backup this week; he demonstrated the ability to control the ball, throw it, really amazing, unbelievable,” Canales said. “I’m very grateful that he’s able to play through stuff like this and wants to be there for his team. And he showed that. He threw well yesterday, came back today, threw well again, so excited to have that.”
The Panthers will look to bounce back from their decisive defeat. While there are concerns with two quarterbacks dealing with injuries against Micah Parsons and a ferocious Packers defense, the team is confident that this week will be different.
Bryce Young Stayed Sharp
In his October 30 article, Darin Gantt of Panthers.com wrote about how offensive coordinator Brad Idzik was proud of the way Young still stayed sharp mentally, despite missing a game.
“I‘m really excited just in his approach. He didn’t lose that last week,” Idzik said. “He was going through those mental processes, and then for him to get back out on the field, he’s chomping at the bit, really excited to watch him today and full speed, closer to live action so we can get those full speed reps with the guys on the side, and in team periods.”
Young will put those mental reps to the test when he returns to live action on Sunday.
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