CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Coach Dave Canales isn’t saying whether Bryce Young will remain the Panthers’ starting quarterback despite leading Carolina on a late fourth-quarter touchdown drive to defeated the New Orleans Saints 23-22 on Sunday.
Canales said Monday that he and his staff are still “gathering information” on whether young or 37-year-old veteran Andy Dalton should start against the New York Giants in Week 10 in Munich, Germany.
He said a decision would be made later this week.
Canales praised Young after the match, saying he “was big in some critical moments and gave us a few chances. Just proud of the step he has taken again.”
But Canales added that there are some things he and his staff need to consider before making a decision.
One of those will be the impact that Young being benched for the second time this season could have on the young QB’s confidence going forward, especially if he’s coming off his best game of the season.
Young was 16 of 26 for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception — one ripped from the receiver’s arms on a well-thrown ball — and led three touchdown drives. He left the stadium to have dinner with his family, feeling pretty good about how he played to earn his third NFL win against 17 losses.
Canales would not say whether Dalton, who was the No. 2 QB against the Saints, has fully recovered from his right thumb sprain two weeks ago.
“I don’t want to give any tips or announcements” to the Giants, Canales said.
Earlier this season, when he benched Young, Canales reasoned that Dalton gave the team the best chance to win. When asked if that line is so clear after Young’s performance on Sunday, he said: “We’re going to look at all the things. We will watch the film and make the best decision.”
What works
The Panthers are getting solid production from three rookies on offense: wide receivers Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders. Sanders had a career-high 87 yards receiving on four catches against New Orleans, including one big gain when he jumped a defender.
Legette had four grabs for 33 yards and a touchdown – his fourth of the season – and a catch from 26 yards on the winning drive. And Coker had two catches for 36 yards in the game.
“I can’t say enough about how maturely they’ve handled the grind of just improving one week at a time,” Canales said of the rookies.
What needs help
The Panthers defense still leaves a lot to be desired. The Saints racked up 197 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 41 carries. If the Saints had stuck to the run game, they might have won the game. The Saints fired head coach Dennis All on Monday after their seventh straight loss.
Stock up
Versatile offensive lineman Brady Christensen has really committed himself to Carolina. He started the season as a backup, but was thrust into a starting role at center when Austin Corbett went down with a season-ending triceps injury. After Ickey Ekwonu suffered an injury and was ruled out Sunday, the Panthers moved Christensen out and he responded with a big game as the Saints. Carolina allowed just one sack.
Stock down
RB Miles Sanders. He was used as Carolina’s third down back and really struggled as a runner and receiver, being held to minus-5 yards on two carries and minus-5 yards on two receptions. For the most part, Sanders had nowhere to turn for the actions he was involved in. It won’t help that second-round pick Jonathan Brooks is expected to make his NFL debut on Sunday, which will further limit Sanders’ options. role. Sanders is an obvious trade candidate, but it’s unclear whether he has any trade value.
Injuries
Carolina is expected to bring back WR Adam Thielen, RB Jonathan Brooks and LB DJ Wonnum from injured reserve for Sunday’s game.
Key number
10 — Sacks by Carolina’s defense this season, tied for second in the league.
Next steps
The Panthers travel abroad this week in preparation for Sunday’s game in Munich, Germany, against the New York Giants. This will be the Brian Burns game. The Panthers traded their best defensive player to the Giants for draft picks this offseason.
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