The Carolina Panthers are one of the most surprising teams through seven weeks of the season, with a 4-3 record after a 13-6 victory against the New York Jets. This marks the first time the Panthers have a record above .500 since October 2021.
However, the Panthers didn’t come out of their Week 7 victory unscathed. Carolina QB Bryce Young left Week 7 with an ankle injury, which has immediately put his Week 8 status vs. the Bills in question.
The latest Bryce Young injury update puts the former No. 1 pick as "expected to miss" the Week 8 game.
As Young left Week 7, veteran QB Andy Dalton stepped up in his place. HC Dave Canales has Young listed as day-to-day heading into this Sunday, and we should learn more throughout the week of practices.
If Young is expected to miss time, it will be Dalton suiting up in his place to man the offense.
What’s the latest on Young’s injury status? Will he be ready to go in time for Week 8? Let's break it all down befor eyouj make your Week 8 fantasy football and NFL DFS picks on PrizePicks.
Bryce Young Injury Update: Is Young Playing in Week 8?
While Canales says Young is day-to-day, reports indicate that Young is suffering from a high ankle sprain and will miss this week’s matchup against the Buffalo Bills. It’s still uncertain whether or not Young will miss time — a high ankle sprain is normally a multi-week absence.
Young’s stats certainly don’t jump off the page, but he’s done a good job at managing the offense to four wins in seven games. He heads into Week 8 with 1,288 yards, 61.6% completion percentage, and 11 passing TDs (ninth-most).
This is not the best time for the Panthers to potentially lose their franchise QB during their three-game winning streak. It will be up to the Panthers’ veteran signal caller to pick up where Young has left off in a Week 8 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, where he will be tasked with keeping up with a top five offense in expected points added (EPA) and success rate.
Andy Dalton Starting for Bryce Young? What to Expect
Dalton wasn’t asked to do much when he took over for Young with the Panthers already up 13-3, dominating the Jets with no need to push the envelope. He finished the game with 60 yards passing with a 57.1% completion percentage and an 85.4 passer rating.
The journeyman QB isn’t the most appealing option at the most important position in football, but he is one of the better backups in the league. Dalton has thrown for 1,468 yards, 10 TDs, and 6 INTs over 12 games with Carolina.
Canales has done a good job of creating opportunities for Young to put up solid numbers alongside new WR Tetairoa McMillan.
Through seven weeks, Young is 10th in pass attempts (224), fourth in red zone attempts (33), 12th in pass plays per game (35.8), and ninth in big-time throws (10).
Even in a tough Week 8 matchup against Buffalo, Dalton has a solid floor to make him serviceable for fantasy owners who are in a bind during the bye week or with the potential absence of Young. Another option for your QB spot is Commanders QB Marcus Mariota, or QB Jaxson Dart if he is still available.
This time around as the Panthers starter, Dalton has a lot of playmakers on offense to help him succeed, including emerging RB Rico Dowdle, RB Chuba Hubbard, and WRs Xavier Leggette and rookie McMillan.
If the Panthers’ offensive line can give Dalton a clean pocket like they have for Young, he could be good enough to keep the offense fantasy-friendly in Week 8 vs. a Bills team that has looked vulnerable vs. the pass at times (12th in EPA/dropback allowed(.
More than likely, we'll see Carolina continue to try to run the ball as much as possible, especially as the Bills have one of the worst rushing offenses in the league, ranking 30th in EPA/rush. Meanwhile, the Panthers have a new 1-2 punch at RB to keep the Bills on their heels.
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