Bryce Young will sit out during first preseason game

In an announcement made Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers announced that starting quarterback Bryce Young will not participate in the team's preseason opener against the New England Patriots on Thursday. The team cited precautionary reasons, aiming to ensure Young's health and readiness for the regular season. They believe it is crucial to avoid any potential injuries in an otherwise non-essential game.

A quad injury has prevented veteran backup Andy Dalton from practicing. It's believed that third quarterback Jack Plummer and the newly signed Jake Luton will take the bulk of Thursday's snaps.

Young, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Alabama, started 16 games as a rookie, posting a 2-14 record. Young's rookie season in 2023 was far from a storybook one. He completed just 59.8 percent of his passes for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for the Panthers last season. With Young now having a year of experience under his belt, the Panthers are optimistic about a significant improvement in their performance this season. The team has strengthened their roster through the draft and free agency, aiming to support Young with a more robust offensive line and a dynamic receiving corps. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see if these changes can propel the Panthers to a much better record in 2024.