Bryce Young starts on Sunday for the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos for the first time since Week 2 back in the middle of September.
After five weeks of waiting and learning and playing scout team quarterback, Young has the opportunity to win back his previous role.
Young is back in the lineup in place of Andy Dalton, who suffered a minor sprained thumb in a car accident this week. If Young plays up to his talents, there is a real chance for him to continue starting, sources say.
When Carolina benched Young after the second game of the regular season, it did so with the hope that he would have the opportunity to start again and prove himself to be the franchise QB that the Panthers drafted No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. The NFL is a week-to-week league and in so many situations, anything is possible. Young thriving is the hope.
Dalton did not practice this week following Tuesday's accident and is doubtful for Sunday's game. It is possible the thumb injury, which is causing issues gripping the football, sidelines him in Week 9, as well, sources say.
Asked to describe Young's demeanor and energy after getting benched for Dalton, head coach Dave Canales said, "He's been an absolutely stud through this whole process." Canales called him "engaged and involved," which was the reaction the team had wanted.
Dalton started hot when he took over as starter, throwing for 319 yards and three touchdowns in a win over the Raiders. He has since cooled, however, and threw for just 93 yards in a Week 7 loss to the Commanders, the Panthers' fourth consecutive defeat. This past Monday, Canales called questions about if Young would start again "not unfounded."
Inside the building, Young's engagement has been praised. He'll participate not only in the QB meetings, but also the protection meetings with the offensive linemen. He'll help Dalton with the still shots on the sideline during games. He's been present instead of going to a dark place and sulking.
Backup QBs usually do not get practice reps with starters during the week, but Young has been mixed in with the ones, especially during competitive periods, sources say. Those reps have helped him stay sharp, and he's also been competitive with his starting defense doing scout team reps.
Against the Broncos and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph's stellar group, Young won't have his starting receivers available. Adam Thielen, who still is working his way back from a hamstring injury that put him on injured reserve, was ruled out. Diontae Johnson, who is dealing with a rib injury, is also out.
Receivers like Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo and David Moore have received plenty of practice reps with Thielen and Johnson banged up.
"The guys that took the reps during the week," Canales said on Friday, "We feel good about the execution and the way that the guys handled it, and so great opportunity for those guys."
