CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Quarterback Bryce Young will make his second consecutive start for the Carolina Panthers on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints, and rookie running back Jonathan Brooks could make his NFL debut.
Brooks spent the first eight games rehabbing from ACL surgery in November while he was at the University of Texas. If activated to the 53-man roster the second-round pick will share the backfield with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders.
Young will start as veteran Andy Dalton recovers from a sprain on his throwing hand he suffered in a car accident last week. Dalton was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and is expected to be Young's backup.
Coach Dave Canales said, “For me, it was like taking the decision out of Andy's hands.” “If you ask Andy, 'Can you go?' He'd say yes. And, for me, he's a week off from a thumb injury and I just want to make sure we get him back in the right shape and in the right frame.
“And I'm excited for Bryce to have another opportunity to pursue the things we've talked about. To continue to move forward and get the experience we talked about is invaluable.”
This will be Young's second start against the Saints. He completed 13 of 30 pass attempts for 161 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a 47–10 loss at New Orleans in Week 1.
He was replaced by Dalton after an 0-2 start and did not get another start on Sunday in Denver. He completed 24 of 37 pass attempts for 224 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the 28–14 loss.
Brooks won't start, but if he's ready he'll get some reps behind Hubbard.
While there was speculation before the season that Brooks would ultimately make Hubbard expendable when he became a free agent after the season, the team appeared committed to re-signing Hubbard to a long-term deal and pursuing both running backs. Is.
Canales said he would like to see him for a full week before committing to playing with Brooks on Sunday, but that window is set to end next Wednesday.
“Just thinking about him and making sure he's confident and ready to go. So we'll stay here a few more days before making that decision,” Canales said.
Canales said he won't make a decision on who will start at quarterback until next week after Sunday. Young said he's monitoring his situation week-to-week, but he's grateful for a second chance to face New Orleans.
Wednesday was the first day this season the Panthers practiced without wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday.
“He just has the drive, the drive to compete,” Young said of Johnson. “He's a guy who always wants to do his best in training camp or games. He was always giving his all. “I have nothing but love for him.”
A league source said the Panthers began exploring the idea of trading Johnson a few weeks ago. The first two were lovers, and the Ravens entered the picture a few days ago.
Canales declined to comment on whether Johnson's issues in the locker room with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who traded the Pro Bowl receiver to Carolina in March, had anything to do with him moving on.
“Those are all things I would keep in the house,” Canales said. “I hope you guys can respect that part.”