Tag: andy dalton

Oct 26, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Panthers QB Andy Dalton broke right thumb, kept playing last week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Andy Dalton added essential context to his performance filling in for injured starter Bryce Young last week.

Dalton said he knew he hurt the thumb on his throwing hand during the second series of the 40-9 home loss to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, but the 15-year veteran didn’t know the extent of the injury.

“Obviously I’d prefer my thumb not be broken, but it is what it is,” Dalton, 38, said Thursday. “For me, I didn’t know what had happened. I knew that I had it hit. I still felt like I could function normally.”

Dalton was sacked seven times and completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards with an interception. He also lost two fumbles.

Young (ankle) is expected to be back in the starting lineup this week and was a full participant in practice Thursday. Dalton said he could potentially get ready to play if necessary when the Panthers (4-4) visit the Green Bay Packers (5-1-1) on Sunday.

Dalton was listed as limited at Thursday’s practice after sitting out on Wednesday, while Young was a full participant for the second consecutive day. Wide receiver Xavier Legette (illness) did not practice. Head coach Dave Canales said that center Cade Mays (ankle/knee) and outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen (ankle) were held out again and are unlikely to play on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2025; St. Louis, MO, USA; Michigan Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins (3) warms up prior to the 2025 UFL Championship game against the DC Defenders at The Dome at America’s Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images

Panthers signing QB Bryce Perkins after Andy Dalton injury

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In need of depth at quarterback, the Carolina Panthers intend to sign Bryce Perkins, according to reports.

The 2025 United Football League MVP will join the Panthers after backup QB Andy Dalton exited Saturday’s preseason game with a right elbow sprain. That left Jack Plummer as the only quarterback option behind starter Bryce Young.

The 6-foot-3, 214-pound Perkins was named the UFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year this past season, passing for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns (two interceptions) while leading the Michigan Panthers to the league championship. In the title game, he threw for 338 yards and four touchdowns.

Undrafted out of Virginia in 2020, Perkins spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. His only game time came in 2022, when he appeared in five games and went 19-for-34 for 161 yards and a touchdown against two interceptions. He also rushed for 90 yards.

Carolina (0-2) wraps up its preseason schedule on Thursday when the Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dalton, who enters his third year with Carolina and 15th year in the league, was expected to undergo further testing on Sunday to determine the severity of the injury. In his first two seasons with the Panthers, Dalton appeared in nine games, passing for 1,350 yards and nine touchdowns as the backup QB.

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) passes the ball against the Washington Commanders during the second quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

QB Andy Dalton back with Panthers on 2-year deal

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Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, a pending unrestricted free agent, agreed to a new two-year deal with the Carolina Panthers on Tuesday.

Dalton, 37, figures to remain the backup to Bryce Young after a hectic 2024 season that saw Young’s starting role given to Dalton after two weeks, only for Young to perform well as the starter when Dalton was injured in a November car accident.

The Panthers did not disclose financial terms, but ESPN reported that Dalton’s contract is worth $8 million, with $6 million of it guaranteed and a maximum value of $10 million.

Dalton has been a journeyman backup and starter since the Cincinnati Bengals moved on from him after the 2019 season. He played for the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, the Chicago Bears in 2021 and the New Orleans Saints in 2022 before joining Carolina.

Dalton threw for 989 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions in six games (five starts) for the Panthers in 2024. In 175 career games (168 starts), he has amassed 39,500 yards, 253 touchdowns and 150 picks, with a 62.6 completion percentage.

–Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton (14) looks on after the game of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jacksonville Jaguars blanked the Carolina Panthers 26-0. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

Panthers’ Andy Dalton, family in car accident; QB being evaluated

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton is being evaluated by team doctors after he was involved in a car accident in Charlotte, N.C.

A team spokesperson said that Dalton, his wife, three children and dog were traveling together at the time of Tuesday’s accident. The team said no one in the party was taken by ambulance or immediate medical attention.

Officials did not publicly provide immediate insight into the severity of the crash and no further context regarding the number of vehicles involved was released.

Dalton, 36, has thrown for 989 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions in five starts for the Panthers this season. He replaced Bryce Young as the starter for the Panther in Week 3.

A 14-year veteran, Dalton has tallied 39,500 career passing yards with 253 touchdowns and 150 interceptions, mostly from his nine-year tenure with Cincinnati (2011-2019).

Carolina (1-6) plays at Denver (4-3) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) prepares to pass in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Reports: Panthers benching QB Bryce Young

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The Carolina Panthers are benching former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and promoting Andy Dalton to starting quarterback after two weeks, NFL Network and ESPN reported Monday.

The Panthers (0-2) have scored a combined 13 points in their first two games under new head coach Dave Canales. Young threw for just 84 yards on 26 pass attempts in Sunday’s 26-3 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also tossed an interception.

Young became just the third player in the past 20 seasons to average 4 or fewer yards per pass play in four straight starts, according to ESPN. He has zero touchdowns against three INTs in two games this season.

Canales said after the game that Young would remain the team’s starter in Week 3 at Las Vegas (1-1). He changed his mind less than 24 hours later.

Dalton, 36, is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with a record of 83-78-2 in 14 seasons. He has backed up Young, 23, for the past two seasons in Carolina.

Dalton has thrown for 38,511 yards and 246 TDs against 144 INTs for five teams, most notably the Cincinnati Bengals (2011-19), who drafted him in the second round in 2011.

–Field Level Media

Jul 31, 2023; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) and quarterback Andy Dalton (14) chat during warm ups during training camp at Wofford College. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers rookie QB Bryce Young (ankle) out 1-2 weeks

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Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young is expected to miss one to two games with an ankle injury, coach Frank Reich said Friday.

Young, the top overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, officially was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the host Seattle Seahawks (1-1). Veteran Andy Dalton, 35, will be under center for the Panthers (0-2).

Jake Luton, who was signed to the practice squad, will serve as the backup quarterback to Dalton in Seattle.

Young had his ankle checked out after the Monday night home loss to the New Orleans Saints and missed the Wednesday walkthrough. He was held out of the team’s first full practice of the week Thursday, and again on Friday.

Reich expressed optimism that Young could return to action versus the visiting Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 1.

“I think there is a possibility that he plays next week, but I tend to be too optimistic in these situations,” Reich said.

Young, 22, has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions.

Dalton completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 2,871 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 14 games last season with the Saints.

On Friday, linebackers Brian Burns (ankle) and Justin Houston (calf) joined running back Mile Sanders (pectoral) in turning in limiting practices. Houston was listed as questionable to face the Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Jun 14, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws during the Carolina Panthers minicamp. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Top overall pick Bryce Young tabbed Panthers’ starting QB

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Rookie Bryce Young has been named the Carolina Panthers’ starting quarterback, coach Frank Reich announced Wednesday.

“Yes, he’s QB1,” Reich said of Young, the top overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Reich’s decision isn’t much of a surprise given that Young has worked with the first-team unit since the beginning of organized team activities. He gets the nod as starter over veteran backup Andy Dalton, who signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Panthers.

“That means a lot. That’s a huge blessing,” Young said. “For me, it doesn’t change my approach.”

Young, 22, won the Heisman Trophy at Alabama in 2021 and set a school record with five games with at least five touchdown passes.

He spent three seasons in Tuscaloosa, winning the 2020 national championship as a backup to 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones.

Young threw 80 touchdown passes and completed 624 of 949 passes (65.8 percent) for 8,356 yards in 36 games for the Crimson Tide. He holds numerous program records, including single-season marks for passing touchdowns (47) and passing yards (4,872).

Young agreed to terms last week on a fully guaranteed four-year, $37.9 million rookie contract that includes a $24.6 million signing bonus.

–Field Level Media

May 12, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws during the Carolina Panthers rookie camp at the Atrium Practice Facility in Charlotte, NC.Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers elevate Bryce Young to QB1 on depth chart

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The Carolina Panthers moved No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young to the top quarterback spot on the depth chart, but coach Frank Reich stopped short Thursday of naming the rookie his Week 1 starter.

Until now, veteran Andy Dalton, an offseason signee, had been listed as the starter and took the opening reps with the first unit in voluntary offseason workouts, though Young also worked with the first team. But Reich told reporters that Young has impressed him enough to make the change.

“It’s just the next step,” Reich said. “We had a couple of weeks to watch Andy. Andy has continued to perform at a very high level. We’re just trying to get our team ready. Everything is about what’s best for our team, and so this was just the next step.”

The first-year coach isn’t ready to hand Young the starting job until he sees more from him, however.

“He’s showing everything you want to see,” Reich said. “But this goes back to even the draft decision. We don’t have to make a decision until you have to make it.”

Reich said this is the timeline that he and general manager Scott Fitterer envisioned when they drafted Young, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Alabama. During mandatory camp next week, Young will take the first-team reps and the 35-year-old Dalton will lead the second unit.

Young, who turns 22 next month, said he won’t change his approach.

“For me, it’s about earning it,” Young said. “I’m grateful to have the opportunity that I have. I still think it’s a process. I’m grateful to be accepted by the team. It’s an amazing locker room, a great group of guys. I want to continue with that.

“It’s not something you’re just entitled to.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 20, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Andy Dalton (14) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Saints tab Andy Dalton for start again in Week 8

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Andy Dalton is drawing the start at quarterback again for the New Orleans Saints this week despite a healthy Jameis Winston, the ordained starter to open the season.

Saints coach Dennis Allen on Wednesday called it an “offensive decision,” noting that Winston is healthy.

“… We’re going to continue with Andy,” Allen told reporters. “… No need to upset the apple cart.”

The Saints, who have lost two straight, host the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday.

Winston, 28, started the first three games before suffering back and ankle injuries. He went 1-2, completing 63.5 percent of his passes for 858 yards, with four touchdowns against five interceptions.

Dalton, who turns 35 on Saturday, has gone 1-3 as the starter, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 946 yards, with seven TDs against four INTs.

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, U.S.; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) runs for a touchdown after a catch against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) during the second quarter at State Farm Stadium. Nfl Eagles At Cardinals

Cards put Marquise Brown on IR; Saints to start Andy Dalton

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The Arizona Cardinals elevated kicker Rodrigo Blankenship to the active roster ahead of Thursday night’s game against New Orleans and placed two players on injured reserve, including wide receiver Marquise Brown.

Meanwhile, the Saints are reportedly going to start Andy Dalton over Jameis Winston, who will be the emergency quarterback against the Cardinals. Taysom Hill will back up Dalton, according to ESPN.

The Cardinals also put offensive lineman Just Pugh on IR with a torn ACL. He’s out for the season.

Brown (foot) will have to miss at least four games but it’s expected he’ll be out longer than that anyway, perhaps six weeks. Brown was injured on the final play of the game in last Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks. He suffered a small non-surgical fracture in his foot.

The elevation of Blankenship means Matt Prater will miss a third straight game with a hip injury. The Cardinals also elevated running back Corey Clement to the active roster. Starting RB James Conner (ribs) is a gametime decision.

The Cardinals also activated OL Cody Ford from IR and it’s possible he’ll be active against the Saints. Ford, 25, began the season on IR. He played in 38 games (29 starts) from 2019-21 with the Buffalo Bills, who traded him to the Cardinals on Aug. 22 for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.

The Cardinals have also ruled out LB Dennis Gardeck (ankle), C Rodney Hudson (knee) and RB Darrel Williams (knee).

The Saints are also without a host of players for Thursday night. Guard Andrus Peat is considered week-to-week with a pectoral strain and has been ruled out against the Cardinals.

Also ruled out for the game are wide receivers Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) and tight end Adam Trautman (ankle)

Cornerback Paulson Adebo, tackle Calvin Throckmorton and defensive end Payton Turner are all questionable.

Additionally, the Saints cut wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, activated defensive back Alontae Taylor (knee) from injured reserve and elevated receiver Kevin White and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media