The Carolina Panthers are hoping to get quarterback Bryce Young (ankle) back on the practice field Wednesday.
Young was sidelined Sunday as he watched veteran backup Andy Dalton produce three turnovers in a 40-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Dalton completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards and an interception against Buffalo. He was sacked seven times and fumbled twice with both loose balls being recovered by the Bills’ defense.
The latest on Bryce Young’s ankle injury
Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Monday that Young is getting better every day.
“Had a good session running today in return-to-play (routine), and the goal is to get him out there on Wednesday — move him around and see if we can get him into practice, in a mode,” Canales said. “I’m optimistic that he will be out there, but we’re going to take it day to day with him.”
A Panthers fan holds a sign offering his ankle to quarterback Bryce Young, who was sidelined by an injury Sunday against the Bills. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Young’s return in Week 9 would be welcomed.
While he’s had his blips as a passer during the first half of the season, Young has thrown 11 touchdown passes compared to five interceptions on the year. He also led the team on a three-game winning streak before suffering an ankle injury in the third quarter of a 13-6 win over the New York Jets in Week 7.
Young’s ability to manipulate the pocket with his quickness and improvisational skills has helped keep the Panthers’ sack count low. Prior to Sunday’s loss, the Panthers had allowed just 12 sacks on the season. Young has only been sacked 11 times in seven games.
Reviewing the running back rotation
Canales told reporters Monday that he won’t ignore the rushing success that Rico Dowdle is having in October. He also won’t ignore his two-year history with Chuba Hubbard.
The head coach said he is taking both sample sizes into account as the Panthers prepare for the Green Bay Packers.
“Chuba has meant a lot to this organization — certainly to the identity that we wanted to build our team on — and wanted to give Chuba the opportunity to go out there and continue to impact our team in a positive way,” Canales said. “We cannot ignore the fact that Rico has been exceptional in a couple of games and in the opportunities he’s had over the last two weeks. He’s made some excellent plays — love the tempo and violence that he’s running with.”
Carolina’s Rico Dowdle runs the ball against Buffalo cornerback Jordan Hancock in Sunday’s first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Grant Halverson Getty Images
“And these are all things that we’re talking about and working through this week as we look back on these last four games and really taking a snapshot of what’s been successful for us,” Canales added. “These are conversations that we do definitely have to have.”
While Hubbard has been the team’s top back for more than two years, Dowdle has outperformed the homegrown leader since filling in for him against the Miami Dolphins in Week 5.
Dowdle produced 206 rushing yards against Miami. He then rushed for 183 yards against Dallas in Week 6.
Even after Hubbard’s Week 7 return, Dowdle has outproduced him. Hubbard has collected 65 rushing yards and a touchdown with 26 attempts (2.5 yards per carry). Dowdle has produced 133 rushing yards with 25 attempts (5.3 yards per carry).
“Again, have to respect the job that Chuba has done for us, and to get us to the point where we’ve established a mentality about how we run,” Canales said. “And we cannot ignore the fact that Rico has made an impact when he is out there. So, these are things that we are talking through as a staff, and we’ll make that decision as the week goes on.”
Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard crosses the threshold of the end zone for a touchdown as Bills linebacker Shaq Thompson defends during the game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Canales understands that he has to do what’s best for the Panthers. It’s not about sparing anyone’s feelings.
“That’s not the goal,” Canales said. “The goal to make sure we put the right guys out there. That’s my job, and so I really have to look at that and evaluate it and make the best decision for the Panthers collectively. And for me, I have to make sure that I keep it about the football. At the same time, I’ve had a good amount of experience with Chuba, and I ‘ve seen Chuba at his best, and now we’ve seen Rico at his best. And so, I have to make sure we have the right conversations all together and move forward.”
The offensive line turnstile continues
The Panthers will have their seventh different starting offensive line combination in nine games when they face the Packers this week.
With Brady Christensen (Achilles) out of the mix, the Panthers will need to start a new face at right guard. All three starting right guards to this point have suffered notable injuries. Robert Hunt and Chandler Zavala are currently serving stints on the injured reserve for their respective injuries.
However, Zavala’s 21-day practice window will be opened this week, according to Canales. Zavala could be an option as Christensen’s immediate replacement.
“We’ll have a chance to get him on the field and evaluate him,” Canales said about Zavala. “We could certainly use his help right now, especially with Brady going down.”
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young consoles offensive lineman Brady Christensen as he is carted off the field after suffering an injury during the game against the Bills at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
With Cade Mays (ankle) and Taylor Moton (knee) banged up as well, the Panthers might need to prepare Austin Corbett and Yosh Nijman to take their places at center and right tackle, respectively.
Corbett was the Week 1 starting center, but he suffered a knee injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve. Upon his Week 7 return, Corbett was asked to play left guard with Damien Lewis (shoulder) sidelined. Lewis returned to the lineup against the Bills and Mays retained the starting center job, so Corbett was relegated to backup work.
Canales declined to offer an update on Mays, but Corbett would be a logical replacement option in Green Bay if Mays can’t play.
Moton, who previously missed Week 6’s win over Dallas, will have his status updated Wednesday, according to Canales. Nijman previously filled in for Moton against Dallas and played well. Following the game, Canales said Nijman’s performance against the Cowboys was his best outing as a member of the Panthers’ roster.
During his day-after press conference, Canales also mentioned Jake Curhan and Nick Samac as possible fill-in options at the guard and center positions. Curhan filled in for Christensen during the second half of Sunday’s loss, while Samac had been a backup center in the three previous games.
Quick hits
Canales said he met with the team’s leadership council Monday morning. They acknowledged that they have to protect the ball better and stop the run. Canales said the group discussed how to improve during the week of work following the past four weeks.
Following Sunday’s game, defensive end A’Shawn Robinson got into a tussle with Bills offensive lineman Dion Dawkins. Pro Bowl defensive linemen Derrick Brown was forced to physically remove Robinson from the skirmish as teammates on both sides tried to intervene. Canales said Monday that he will handle the fallout from the incident in house.
The Panthers have produced four victories with a combined point differential of 43 points. That total includes the 30-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3. Carolina’s four losses have been by a combined 81 points, including Sunday’s 31-point blowout defeat.