The Carolina Panthers are going through another quarterback change with Bryce Young returning to a starting role for Sunday’s road game against the Denver Broncos.
The Panthers hope this works out better for the second-year pro, who was benched last month. Young was the No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama, but he mostly has struggled with Carolina.
“He has been an absolute stud during this process,” Panthers coach Dave Canales said. “He has been engaged. … The guys have been supportive of Bryce, see how hard he has been working.”
The Broncos (4-3) have been concentrating on themselves, coach Sean Payton said. Yet the changes involving Carolina might cause a shift in approach from a defensive standpoint.
“Certainly we have to study the opponent, but our preparation (and) all the things we have to do to get ready to play games, to play our best game, is what the focal point will be,” Payton said.
The Panthers (1-6), trying to shake a four-game losing streak, are the lone NFC team without at least two victories.
Andy Dalton started the past five games for the Panthers, winning the first of those.
Young played the final series of Carolina’s loss last week at Washington, marking his second brief appearance since he lost his starting role. Canales said Monday that Dalton would remain the starter, but there have been developments since then.
Dalton sprained his right thumb in an automobile accident Tuesday and was officially listed as doubtful on Friday.
With Denver’s Bo Nix taking snaps, the Panthers will encounter another rookie as the starting quarterback. They’ve already faced Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Washington’s Jayden Daniels.
Nix has been mobile and making plays with his legs and his arm. He’s the team’s second-leading rusher, while he has thrown for five touchdowns with five interceptions.
“It does give you some flexibility, particularly on third down or in the red zone,” Payton said.
The Broncos are 1-2 at home this year. The visit from Carolina will be Denver’s lone home outing in a four-game stretch.
“Being more consistent,” Payton said of the key component. “Obviously taking advantage of playing in front of our own fans, the crowd noise — all those things that can help you win.”
The Panthers have been blowout victims in several of their losses. Canales has maintained an optimistic tone.
“I know that hard times build perseverance,” he said.
The Broncos will have cornerback Patrick Surtain II after he cleared concussion protocol. Offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (ankle) is questionable to play, and defensive back P.J. Locke (thumb) is doubtful.
Young will be short-handed in his return as the Panthers ruled out wide receivers Diontae Johnson (rib) and Adam Thielen (hamstring) on Friday. Thielen had been designated to return from injured reserve, along with safety Jordan Fuller (hamstring), but the veteran wideout will miss his fifth straight game.
Fuller, safety Nick Scott (hamstring), linebacker D.J. Wonnum (quadriceps) and safety Jammie Robinson (knee) are also listed as out for Sunday. The Panthers have multiple other injury concerns, including linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder) and offensive tackle Taylor Moton (elbow), who are both listed as questionable.
Payton is familiar with the Panthers as a former divisional rival when he was longtime coach of the New Orleans Saints. The Broncos have defeated NFC teams Tampa Bay and New Orleans this year. The 33-10 rout of the Saints came in Denver’s most recent game.
For the second time in three games, Carolina is facing an opponent whose previous game came on a Thursday night, so the foe has had a few extra days between games compared to the Panthers.
