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The Panthers are bracing themselves for the temporary absence of their highly-touted rookie quarterback, Bryce Young, as he deals with an ankle injury sustained on Week 2 against the Saints.
According to Joe Person of TheAthletic, Young is expected to miss 1-2 games with the injury.
Young, the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has had a challenging start to his professional career, with the Panthers currently sporting an 0-2 record this season.
In his two appearances, Young has thrown for 299 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, with a completion percentage of less than 60.
The team confirmed that Young is expected be sidelined for their upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, following his second consecutive absence from practice due to the ankle injury.
There is optimism however within the Panthers organization that his absence will not extend beyond a game or two.
Young’s history at the University of Alabama provides some reassurance, as he missed only one game due to injury over three collegiate seasons.
The Panthers had also taken precautions by signing veteran quarterback Andy Dalton, who was intended to serve as both a mentor to Young and as an injury contingency and will start on Sunday.
The concern over Young’s size, listed at 5’10” and weighing 204 pounds, had been a point of discussion prior to his entry into the NFL.
Recent reports from ESPN even highlighted limitations, such as the inability to execute a quarterback sneak due to his smaller frame, leading to Dalton replacing him on 3rd-and-short situations.
The Panthers remain hopeful that Young will make a swift recovery and return to the lineup when fully healthy, aiming to turn the season around and unlock the potential that made him the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.