Panthers QB Bryce Young to start against Saints

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will make his second straight start on Sunday against the visiting New Orleans Saints.

Head coach Dave Canales announced Wednesday that Andy Dalton was a full participant at practice but continues to rehab his sprained right thumb.

Young regained QB1 status last week after Dalton was injured in a car accident. Young completed 24 of 37 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in last Sunday’s 28-14 loss at Denver.

The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Young is 0-3 as a starter this season and the Panthers (1-7) have lost five straight heading into their Week 9 NFC South clash with the Saints (2-6).

Young, 23, has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 523 yards with two TDs and five interceptions this season. He threw two of those picks in a 47-10 Week 1 loss at New Orleans. Dalton, who turned 37 on Tuesday, has completed 66.3 percent of his throws for 989 yards with seven scores and six picks.

Canales was not ready Wednesday to commit to Young as the starter beyond this weekend.

“Bryce will be starting this week,” Canales said. “We’ll collect all the information over the week with Andy, with Bryce, how he plays this week, and then we’ll make another decision next week.”