Panthers Start Andy Dalton vs Bills with Rookie Bryce Young Doubtful

The Carolina Panthers will start veteran quarterback Andy Dalton against the Buffalo Bills in Week 8 due to a high ankle sprain suffered by rookie Bryce Young, who is officially listed as doubtful and missed all practice sessions this week. Dalton, who has a 1-5 record in six starts for Carolina since joining in 2023 but brings extensive NFL experience with nearly 40,000 passing yards and 254 touchdowns, is set to lead the Panthers' offense despite the challenging matchup against the Bills. Carolina's rushing attack, featuring running backs Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, has been strong over the past three games and will be a key component against Buffalo's struggling run defense, ranked 31st in the NFL. Panthers coach Dave Canales expressed confidence in Dalton's ability to manage the game aggressively, and the team comes into the game with momentum from three straight wins and a 4-3 record. Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has been sidelined since injuring his ankle in the previous game against the New York Jets, making his return unlikely for the Bills matchup. This game represents a significant test for Carolina against a Buffalo team looking to rebound after a bye week and consecutive losses.